1.2.1 Population Change

Question 1

Which model illustrates 5 generalised stages of population growth?

Answer 1

The Demographic Transition Model (DTM).

Question 2

What are the 5 stages of the DTM?

Answer 2

1) High stationary
2) Early expanding
3) Late expanding
4) Low stationary
5) Decline

Question 3

Describe birth rate over the 5 stages of the DTM.

Answer 3

1) High (~35/1000)
2) High (~35/1000)
3) Falls quickly (to ~15/1000)
4) Falls further and remains low (to ~10/1000)
5) Falls very low and below DR

Question 4

Give reasons for the birth rates in stages 1 and 2 of the DTM.

Answer 4

• Lack of birth control.
• Poor education around family planning.
• Lots of children born to replace those that die due to high infant mortality rates.
• Children needed to help work on the land.

Question 5

Give reasons for the birth rates in stage 3 of the DTM.

Answer 5

• Improvements in family planning.
• Increased use of birth control.
• Reduced infant mortality rates.

Question 6

Give reasons for the birth rates in stage 4 of the DTM.

Answer 6

• Further availability of contraception.
• Career advancement for women.
• Children turn from economic asset to burden.

Question 7

Give a reason for the birth rates in stage 5 of the DTM.

Answer 7

The ageing population has a smaller proportion of women of reproductive age.

Question 8

Describe birth rate over the 5 stages of the DTM.

Answer 8

1) High (~35/1000)
2) Falls quickly (to ~15/1000)
3) Still falling but slower (to ~10/1000)
4) Low (to ~10/1000)
5) Climbs slightly higher than BR

Question 9

Give reasons for the death rates in stage 1 of the DTM.

Answer 9

• Poor medical care.
• Lack of sanitation.
• Poor diets.
• High rates of disease.

Question 10

Give reasons for the death rates in stages 2 and 3 of the DTM.

Answer 10

• Improved sanitation.
• Improved medical care.
• Improved food and water supply.

Question 11

Give reasons for the death rates in stage 4 of the DTM.

Answer 11

• Reliable food supply.
• Healthcare established.

Question 12

Give a reason for the death rates in stage 5 of the DTM.

Answer 12

The ageing population has a higher proportion of people reaching life expectancy.

Question 13

Give an example of a civilisation in Stage 1 of the DTM.

Answer 13

Remote tribal groups in Amazon rainforest.

Question 14

Give some examples of countries in Stage 2 of the DTM.

Answer 14

Some of the poorest LICs such as Niger, Gambia and Mali.

Question 15

Give some examples of countries in Stage 3 of the DTM.

Answer 15

Fast-industrialising MICs such as India, Brazil, and Mexico.

Question 16

Give some examples of countries in Stage 4 of the DTM.

Answer 16

HICs such as the UK, USA, and France.

Question 17

Give some examples of countries in Stage 5 of the DTM.

Answer 17

HICs such as Germany and Japan.

Question 18

State some limitations of the DTM.

Answer 18

• It was developed in 1929, when many countries were still under colonial rule. The model assumes all countries will follow the same pathway through the stages.
• It fails to take into account the effects of globalisation, migration, natural disasters, pandemics, wars and government policies that impact birth rates, e.g. China’s one-child policy.
• The model is based on data from 3 countries (England, Wales and Sweden) that industrialised between the 18th and 20th centuries.
• It is difficult to apply to LICs that are currently industrialising in a shorter time frame due to globalisation.

Question 19

Describe some differences between the DTM and current population growth.

Answer 19

• Birth rates in stages 1 and 2 are generally higher in LICs.
• Base populations are different: with the overall global growth in population, LICs have a much bigger base population to start with, making the impact of high growth bigger in stage 2 and early stage 3. When India and China entered stage 2, no developed country had a population close to that size.
• The fall in fertility rates have been steeper for countries in stage 3, mainly due to the availability, reliability and education of modern contraception.

Question 20

State some countries that have been exceptions to the demographic transitions of the DTM.

Answer 20

• France essentially skipped stage 2, as their birth rate declined in line with death rates.
• Mexico saw an increase in births in stage 2 as maternal health care improved.
• Ireland saw falling birth rates and rising death rates in stage 2 because of emigration after the Great Famine of 1845-9.

Question 21

State 4 vital rates that influence population change.

Answer 21

1) Fertility rate
2) Infant mortality rate
3) Replacement level
4) Net production rate

Question 22

Define birth rate.

Answer 22

The number of live births per 1000 people per year.

Question 23

Define fertility rate.

Answer 23

The number of live births per 1000 women aged 15-49 years per year.

Question 24

Define TFR.