Sparsity (noun)

The quality or state of being thinly scattered or dispersed.

Origin:

Late middle english, from old french esparceté or medieval latin sparsitas, from latin sparsere 'to scatter'.

Examples:

1. The sparsity of houses in the countryside makes it seem quite isolated.
2. The sparsity of vegetation on the plains indicated a shortage of water.
3. Due to the sparsity of public transportation, many people choose to drive to work.
4. The sparsity of information available about the subject made research difficult.
5. The sparsity of his words suggested he was hiding something.