Demographic Transition Model

Question 1

What is the demographic transition model?

Answer 1

• Developed by Warren Thompson in 1929
• Based on instrudtrialisation of countries since the industrial revolution
• Shows how birth and death rates

Question 2

What does stage 1 of the demographic transition model show?

Answer 2

• Birth rates and death rates are both high
• Population size remains constant but can have major swings due to epidemics or wars
• E.g. A tribe or settlement far away from industrial developments

Question 3

What does stage 2 of the demographic transition model show?

Answer 3

• Introduction of modern medicine lowers death rates amongst children
• Birth rates remain high, resulting in rapid population growth
• E.g.

Question 4

What does stage 3 of the demographic transition model show?

Answer 4

• Gradual birth rate decrease
• Improved health, women’s rights and contraception
• Population growth continues, but at a lower rate

Question 5

What does stage 4 of the demographic transition model show?

Answer 5

• Birth and death rates are low, stabilizing population
• Stronger economies
• High levels of education, better education
• Higher proportion of working women, hovering around 2 children per women

Question 6

What does stage 5 of the demographic transition model show?

Answer 6

• Includes countries where fertility rate falls below replacement level and there’s a higher elderly population