Development and Human Wellfare 9.6 Demographic Characteristics of Countries at Different Levels of Development

Question 1

demographic transition model (2)

Answer 1

• as countries develop their birth and death rates change and as a result, their rate of natural increase in population also changes
• the model suggests that countries pass through four or five stages

Question 2

Stage 1 of the demographic transition model (2)

Answer 2

• high fluctuating

- period of high birth rates and death rates, both fluctuate

Question 3

what are some reasons for the high birth rates in stage 1 of the demographic transition model? (3)

Answer 3

• little or no birth control
• high infant mortality, which encourages couples to have more children
• children may be seen as an asset or status symbol

Question 4

what are some reasons for the high death rates in stage 1? (3)

Answer 4

• high infant mortality
• poor diet and famine
• poor housing and hygiene, little or no healthcare

Question 5

Stage 2 of the demographic transition model (2)

Answer 5

• period of high birth rates, but falling death rates

- population begins to increase rapidly

Question 6

what are some reasons for the falling death rate in stage 2? (4)

Answer 6

• lower infant mortality
• imporved healthcare and hygiene
• better nutrition
• safer water and better waste disposal

Question 7

exaple of popuation pyramid of developing country just entering stage 2 (ethiopia) (3)

Answer 7

• shows a youthful population
• the many young adults are responsible for a high birth rate and many young children
• because death rate is still high and life expectancy low, there are not many people over 55

Question 8

Stage 3 of the demographic transition model (2)

Answer 8

• period of falling bith rates and death rates

- rate of population growth slows down as rate of natural increase lessens

Question 9

what are some reasons for the falling birth rate in stage 3? (4)

Answer 9

• widespread birth control
• preference for smaller families
• expense of bringing up children
• low infant mortality rate

Question 10

example of population pyramid for emerging country in stage 3 (mexico) (3)

Answer 10

• lost some of its pyramid shape (looks like russian dome), but is taller than the one in stage 2
• death rate is lower and life expectancy greater
• the younger part of population is still larger than the older, but less than in the one for stage 2

Question 11

Stage 4 of the demographic transition model

Answer 11

• period of low birth and low death rates

- death rate is kept low by imporving healthcare

Question 12

what are some reasons for the low birth rate in stage 4? (2)

Answer 12

• effective birth control

- more working women choosing to have children later

Question 13

example of population pyramid of developed country in stage 4 (UK) (3)

Answer 13

• has almost lost its pyramid shape, as it bulges in middle
• the older and younger components are more of less equal
• pyramid shows that there is an aging population

Question 14

Stage 5 of the demographic transition model (5)

Answer 14

• decline
• period where death rates slightly exceed birth rates
• the result is natural decrease and decline in population
• population becomes even older because medicine is keeping older people alive for longer
• this stage only been reached by a few countries

Question 15

example of population pyramid of developed country in stage 5 (japan) (2)

Answer 15

• is very narrow before the age of fourty, but quite broad above the age of 65
• this shows long life expectancy and makes the population pyramid top-heavy