The Demographic Transition Model (DTM)
\n\u00b7 The demographic transition model describes what has happened to birth and death rates in MEDC’s since 1800 and is based on the UK. It has five stages.
\n\u00b7 Not all countries go through the five stages as is the case with many LEDC’s.
\n\u00b7 Most countries can be allocated to a stage of the model and this can also indicate the countries state of development.
\n\u00b7 As well as economic development, other important influences affecting population growth include social, religious, political and environmental factors.<\/p>\n
Stage 1
\n\u00b7 High birth rates and high death rates, so lo natural increase and little population growth. Very few, if any populations are in stage 1 now \u2013 rainforest tribes
\nStage 2
\n\u00b7 High Birth rates but as death rates fall population grows rapidly –
\nMain reasons –
\n\u00b7 No birth control
\n\u00b7 High infant death rates
\n\u00b7 More children to work on farms
\n\u00b7 Religious beliefs
\n\u00b7 Improved medical care
\n\u00b7 More vaccinations, hospitals etc
\n\u00b7 Cleaner water supplies\/sewage
\n\u00b7 Improved Food supplies
\nStage 3
\n\u00b7 Lower death rates and the birth rates start to fall. The population growth rate starts to slow down. The birth rate starts to fall because of family planning, improved medical care and women marrying later.
\nStage 4
\n\u00b7 Low birth and death rates. A low natural increase and steady population. Most MEDC’s are at this stage
\nStage 5
\n\u00b7 The birth rate falls below the death rate and the population decreases. Countries such as Spain, Italy, Japan and Britain are in this stage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"