4.2. Demographic transition Flashcards

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1
Q

Demographic Transition

A

The historical shift of birth and death rates from high to low levels in a population

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2
Q

Stage 1 of demographic transition model

A
  • Crude birth rate is high and stable
  • Crude death rate is high and fluctuating due to famine, disease and war
  • Population growth is very slow
  • Infant mortality is high
  • Life expectancy is low
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3
Q

Stage 2 of demographic transition model

A
  • Death rate declines significantly due to better nutrition, improved public health, clean water supply
  • Birth rate remains high as the social norms governing fertility take time to change and children are seen as economic assets
  • Rate of natural change increases to a peak at the end of this stage
  • Infant mortality falls
  • Life expectancy increases
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4
Q

Stage 3 of demographic transition model

A
  • Social norms adjust to the lower level of mortality
  • Birth rate declines due to improved standards of living, education of women and increased use of contraception. Children are seen as economic liabilities
  • Death rate stabilizes at a low level
  • Infant mortality decreases
  • Life expectancy continues to increase
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5
Q

Stage 4 of demographic transition model

A
  • Both birth and death rates are low
  • Population growth is slow
  • Death rates rise slightly as the average age of population increases
  • However, life expectancy still improves as age-specific mortality rates continue to fall
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6
Q

Stage 5 of demographic transition model

A
  • Birth rate has fallen below death rate, resulting in natural decrease
  • In the absence of net migration inflows, these populations are declining.
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7
Q

Criticisms of the demographic transition model

A
  • It is seen as too Eurocentric as it was based on the experience of Western Europe
  • Many developing countries may not follow the sequence set out in the model
  • Model fails to take in account changes due to migration
  • Ignores the differences between regions within a country
  • Can’t predict when a country will reach a certain stage or how long it will take to pass through
  • Does not take account of the role of governments and policies they may adopt to manage population change
  • Cannot predict pandemics or new disease - HIV
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8
Q

Summary of demographic transition model

A
  • No model is ever perfect but the DTM still has a useful descriptive purpose. The framework of stages is used to identify where a country ‘sits’ overtime and how it compares to other places
  • Model is flexible as it does not define how long it will take for a country to move through the different stages
  • Model would be a better predictor of change if factors other than economic development were recognised as influential
  • Addition of stage 5 allowed the model to evolve but it still cannot be assumed that all countries will follow the model
  • Countries may not necessarily progress smoothly through the model. Periods of standstill can occur and countries can also regress
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9
Q

Ageing Population

A

A population undergoing a rise in its median age. It occurs when fertility declines, while life expectancy remains constant or increases

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10
Q

Development

A

The use of resources to improve the quality of live in a country. This includes wealth, but it also refers to other important aspects of our lives, such as education, health and freedom of expression.

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11
Q

Human Development Index (HDI)

A

A measure of development that combines three important aspects of human well-being: life expectancy, education and income.

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12
Q

Link between population and development

A
  • The highest ranking countries according to the HDI are in stage 4 (or 5) of demographic transition, suggesting a very strong link between the rate of population growth and the level of economic development.
  • The countries with low human development invariably have high rates of population growth and most are in stage 2 of demographic transition.
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13
Q

Merits of the DTM

A
  • Easy to understand
  • Universal in concept - can be applied to all countries in the world, even though its application is more valid f or some countries than for others
  • Flexible timescales - the speed of modernisation determines how quickly a country moves through stages
  • Provides a starting point for the study of demographic change over time
  • Enables comparisons to be made between countries
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