Final answer:
The answer is C. Declining. Declining birth rates are causing concerns in industrialized nations due to the resulting aging population and potential labor shortages, whereas some developing nations view them as part of progressive development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question is: C. Declining.
Declining birth rates are causing concern in industrialized nations because they can lead to an aging population and a potential workforce shortage. In contrast, some developing nations welcome declining birth rates as they signal a transition from high birth and death rates to more stabilized populations with better economic and health conditions. This shift often occurs as part of the demographic transition, which describes how countries evolve from high to low birth and death rates as they industrialize.
It is observed that as nations develop, people tend to move from agricultural work to urban areas, leading to smaller family sizes and a reduction in birth rates. However, these lower birth rates, alongside an increasing life expectancy, can result in an imbalance in age demographics, with more elderly people compared to those in the workforce. This demographic shift presents significant challenges for developed countries to sustain economic growth and social services.