Consider the following specific stages of demographic transition associated with economic development

1. Low birthrate with low death rate
2. High birthrate with high death rate
3. High birthrate with low death rate

Select the correct order of the above stages using the codes given below:

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2012 Prelims]

(a) 1, 2, 3

(b) 2, 1, 3

(c) 2, 3, 1

(d) 3, 2, 1

Answer: (c)        

Explanation:

• The theory of demographic transition suggests that population growth is influenced by the overall level of economic development and that societies typically undergo a predictable pattern of population growth.
• The theory outlines three primary phases of population growth. In the initial stage, observed in underdeveloped and technologically backward societies, population growth is low. This is due to high birth and death rates, resulting in a small difference, or net growth rate, between the two.
• The second stage of the Demographic Transition Model (DTM) is characterized by a rapid decline in the death rate while the birth rate remains high. This leads to a significant increase in population growth.
• The third and final stage occurs in developed societies where population growth is once again low. In this stage, both the birth and death rates have substantially decreased, resulting in a small difference between them.
• Overall, the theory of demographic transition provides a framework to understand the relationship between economic development and population growth, with societies progressing through distinct stages characterized by varying birth and death rates.