Final answer:
The Demographic Transition refers to the shift from high to low birth and death rates in predictable stages as a society becomes more industrialized. This includes a period of rapid population growth followed by stabilization or decline as birth and death rates even out. The Demographic Transition Model outlines these stages, typically involving improvements in healthcare and living standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept that refers to the transition of a society from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates, which typically occurs in 5 predictable stages, is known as Demographic Transition. The Demographic Transition Model (DTM) is based on historical population trends observed in developed countries as they transitioned from pre-industrial to industrialized economies. The model consists of several stages:
- Stage 1: High birth and death rates characterize a rural pre-industrial society.
- Stage 2: Death rate starts to decline as medical and sanitation conditions improve; resulting in population growth.
- Stage 3: Birth rates begin to decline as economies grow and urbanization increases.
- Stage 4: Both birth and death rates are low, leading to a stabilized population.
- Stage 5: (Optional stage) Birth rates may fall below death rates, resulting in a declining population in a post-industrial society.
During this transition, a country typically experiences a surge in population growth as the death rate drops before the birth rate, creating a large generational cohort. Eventually, birth rates decline, leading to a stabilization or decrease in population growth. This transition is generally associated with improvements in healthcare, education, and overall standards of living.