The Demographic Transition Model

Question 1

What happens in stage two of the DTM?

Answer 1

(Early expanding)

*Falling death rate- improved health, better nutrition, lower child morality

Question 2

What happens in stage one of the DTM?

Answer 2

(High fluctuating)

• High birth rate (limited birth control/planning)
• High infant mortality rate^
• Children encouraged- income
• Disease, poor nutrition, poor hygiene, poor health

Question 3

What happens in stage 3 of the DTM?

Answer 3

(Late expanding)

• Falling birthrate and death rate
• Changing socioeconomic conditions
• Greater access to education
• Preferences for smaller families
• Changing social trends and fashions
• Increased personal wealth
• Compulsory schooling
• Lower infant mortality rate
• Government available family planning

Question 4

What happens in stage 4 of the DTM?

Answer 4

(Low fluctuating)

• Low birth rate
• Low death rate
• Small growth
• More women in workforces, higher personal incomes and more leisure interests

Question 5

What happens in stage 5 of the DTM?

Answer 5

(Decline)

• Death rate slightly exceeds the birth rate- fluctuates
• Population decline
• Rise in individualism
• Financial independence of women
• Concern of resources running out
• Same-sex relationships
• Childlessness
• Ageing population- rise in death rate

Question 6

What are the uses of the DTM?

Answer 6

• Universal concept
• Starting point for the study of demographic change over time
• Timescales are flexible
• Easy to understand
• Enables comparison

Question 7

What are the limitations of the DTM?

Answer 7

• Original model did not include the 5th stage
• Eurocentric
• Assumes all countries will follow the European sequence of socioeconomic changes
• Does not include the role of governments
• Does not include the impact of migration