Which factor is not likely to affect population distribution?

Population distribution can be influenced by various factors, with some having a more profound impact than others. Availability of water is critical, as it affects agriculture, sanitation, and overall habitability. Job opportunities also play a significant role because economic activities often determine where people choose to live. Access to transportation is another vital factor, as it influences the movement of people and resources, facilitating connectivity between urban and rural areas.

Government policies, while they can shape population distributions by promoting certain areas or providing incentives for settlement, are not a direct geographical or environmental determinant. Instead, they often act as a framework within which other more tangible factors, such as economic opportunities and resource availability, come into play. Therefore, while government policies can influence where people move and live, they do not inherently affect the natural geography that dictates population distribution to the same extent as the other options mentioned.