Q. Consider the following specific stages of demographic transition associated with economic development:
- Low birthrate with low death rate
- High birthrate with high death rate
- High birthrate with low death rate
Select the correct order of the above stages using the codes given below: (UPSC Prelims 2012)
Answer:
2, 3, 1
Notes: The correct answer is
[C] 2, 3, 1. The Theory of Demographic Transition describes the historical shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops from a pre-industrial to an industrialized economic system.
- Stage 1: High birthrate with high death rate (Statement 2): This is the Pre-industrial stage. In this phase, population growth is slow because high birthrates are offset by high death rates due to poor sanitation, lack of medical knowledge, and frequent epidemics. Both rates are high, keeping the population stable but at a low level.
- Stage 2: High birthrate with low death rate (Statement 3): This is the Early expanding stage of a developing economy. Improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and food supply lead to a sharp decline in death rates. However, birthrates remain high due to social customs and lack of family planning. This gap creates a "population explosion."
- Stage 3: Low birthrate with low death rate (Statement 1): This is the Low stationary stage characteristic of developed economies. As urbanization increases and education spreads, birthrates fall to match the low death rates. The population becomes stable again, but at a much higher total level than in Stage 1.
Summary of the Demographic Transition Model| Stage | Birth Rate | Death Rate | Population Growth |
| I (Pre-industrial) | High | High | Low/Stable |
| II (Developing) | High | Falling Rapidly | Very High (Explosion) |
| III (Transitional) | Falling | Low | Slowing Down |
| IV (Developed) | Low | Low | Low/Stable |