Option C

Option C: Consider our studies of fertility (which include data on CBR and TFR) and mortality (CDR, Infant Mortality Rate, Life Expectancy, and Rate of Natural Increase). Describe the four (or five) stages of the Demographic Transition, beginning with the Industrial Revolution, proceeding to the present day, and projecting into the future. Be sure to discuss individual countries as you describe the different stages.

In the world every country will go through a series of stages. They can delay what happens, but they can’t avoid it. The series of stages have been mapped out for us on the demographic transition. There are 4 or maybe 5 stages every country will go through. Each one is different in its own way.

The first stage is the beginning for the countries. This is before the industrial revolution, but during the time when people were still hunters and gatherers. They would go out and hunt any food they could find. The country will have a high birth rate, high death rate, and a low rate of natural increase. During this time there will be practically no birth control. This gives the country a high birth rate. The country will also have low medical resources to prevent death, which leads to a high death rate. The birth rate is slightly higher than the death rate so the rate of natural increase or the population will slowly increase. Currently there are no countries in stage 1.

Stage 2 is during the time of the industrial revolution. The first countries to reach stage 2 was England and the United States. In stage 2 the birth rate remains high while the death rate drops to very low numbers over time. Meanwhile the population/rate of natural increase rises higher than the birth rate. The characteristics are like this just from the industrial revolution. Having a high production rate leads to more money. Having more money means people can buy more things they need, such as medicine or maybe a bigger house for kids.

Stage 3 consists of lower birth rate, lower population and the death rate remaining the same. During this stage women will start to have less children. They would rather go into the workforce instead of staying home and having kids. Because of this the population will peak and then fall greatly. The birth rate is till higher than the death rate so the population will slowly grow. People in stage 3 are most likely living in cities, it’s not good to have large families in cities. Colonial Mexico experienced this stage.

Stage 4 is a slow time for a country. The birth rate is barely higher than the death rate, so the population is rising very slowly. It will reach a point when the birth rate and death rate are equal. During the stage some women die before reaching child-bearing years. The ones that survive are working and don’t have time to raise children. The major countries of the world like the U.S, England, Canada are currently in this stage.

The stages of the demographic transition are something all countries must go through in their time. If the country is strong enough, they will survive each stage and become a powerhouse of the world.