Scribd
Upload
60 views13 pages

What Is The Demographic Transition?

The document discusses the demographic transition model which describes the shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates that occurs as countries develop economically and socially. It outlines the four stages of the transition: 1) high birth and death rates with slow population growth, 2) declining death rates with continuing high birth rates leading to rapid population growth, 3) declining birth rates with further declines in death rates resulting in moderate population growth, and 4) low birth and death rates with stationary population growth. Examples of countries in each stage are provided.

Uploaded by

Sruthi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
60 views13 pages

What Is The Demographic Transition?

The document discusses the demographic transition model which describes the shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates that occurs as countries develop economically and socially. It outlines the four stages of the transition: 1) high birth and death rates with slow population growth, 2) declining death rates with continuing high birth rates leading to rapid population growth, 3) declining birth rates with further declines in death rates resulting in moderate population growth, and 4) low birth and death rates with stationary population growth. Examples of countries in each stage are provided.

Uploaded by

Sruthi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 13

What is the Demographic Transition?

• The shift from high to low mortality and fertility


through four distinct stages.
• Based on the experience of Western Europe’s
Industrial Age.
• Began by Warren Thompson in 1929.
• Further developed in 1945 by Frank Notestein
• A sign of socio-economic progress?
Stage 1 - High Fluctuating/ Low Growth
• Birth Rate and Death rate are both high. NIR was 0. Population growth is slow and
fluctuating. Hunting and Gathering Society.
• Reasons
• Birth Rate is high as a result of:
– Lack of family planning
– High Infant Mortality Rate: putting babies in the 'bank'
– Need for workers in agriculture
– Religious beliefs
– Children as economic assets
• Death Rate is high because of:
– High levels of disease
– Famine
– Lack of clean water and sanitation
– Lack of health care
– War
– Competition for food from predators such as rats
– Lack of education
• Typical of Britain in the 18th century and the Least Economically Developed
Countries (LEDC's) today.
Demographic Transition - Stage 1
• Today, no country in the world is in Stage 1.
Stage 2 - Early Expanding/ High Growth
Birth Rate remains high. Death Rate is falling. Population
begins to rise steadily. High NIR and expanding population
growth.
Reasons: 1750- Industrial Revolution and Medical
Advancements
 Death Rate is falling as a result of:
 Improved health care (e.g. Smallpox Vaccine)
 Improved Hygiene (Water for drinking boiled)
 Improved sanitation
 Improved food production and storage
 Improved transport for food
 Decreased Infant Mortality Rates
Typical of Britain in 19th century; Bangladesh; Nigeria
Demographic Transition - Stage 2
• Europe and North America entered Stage 2
in the 1800s
• Africa, Asia and Latin America entered into
Stage 2 in the early to mid 1900s
– European colonization brought medical
advancements
• Current Examples: Afghanistan, Many Sub-
Saharan African countries
Stage 3 - Late Expanding/ Moderate Growth
Birth Rate starts to fall sharply. Death Rate continues to fall
but more slowly. CBR still higher than CDR. Slow expanding
population growth. Low NIR.
Reasons:
 Family planning available
 Lower Infant Mortality Rate- medical practices
 Increased mechanization reduces need for workers
 Increased standard of living
 More likely to live in cities
 Changing status of women
 Typical of Britain in late 19th and early 20th century; China; Brazil.
Demographic Transition - Stage 3
 Europe and North America entered Stage 3
in first half of 1900s
 Many countries in Latin America and Asia
entered Stage 3 in the second half of the
1900s
 Current Examples: Mexico, Panama, South
Africa
Stage 4 - Low Fluctuating/ Low Growth
• Birth Rate and Death Rate both low. Stationary
population growth. Low to no NIR. Zero population
growth.
• TFR of 2.1 achieves ZPG, unless high immigration
– Economy is settled
– Fully developed Middle Class
– Low TFR
– Political stability
• Typical of USA; Sweden; Japan; Britain
Demographic Transition - Stage 4
 Current Examples:
– Many European countries (Italy, France)
– United States
– Japan
In Depth New Model
The Demographic Transition

Fig. 2-13: The demographic transition consists of four stages, which move from high birth and
death rates, to declines first in death rates then in birth rates, and finally to a
stage of low birth and death rates. Population growth is most rapid in the second
stage.
World Population & Growth Rates,
400,000 BC - AD 2000
Demographic Transition in England

Fig. 2-14: England was one of the first countries to experience rapid population growth in the mid-
eighteenth century, when it entered stage 2 of the demographic transition.

You might also like