Final answer:
The theory that explains the decline in population growth rates following industrialization in Europe is known as the demographic transition. This multistage model reflects changes in birth and death rates as countries advance through various stages of industrial development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory proposed to explain the decline in population growth rates following industrialization in Europe is referred to as the demographic transition. This is a multistage model based on Western Europe's experience, describing the changes in population growth exhibited by countries undergoing industrialization. Initially, high birth rates and death rates are present, which is followed by plummeting death rates due to advancements in nutrition, sanitation, and medical care, resulting in a significant net population gain. Subsequently, a convergence of birth rates and death rates occurs at a low overall level, often due to factors such as urbanization, increased access to education for women, and shifts in economic structures, where children transition from being an economic asset in agricultural societies to an economic liability in urban settings.
The Demographic Transition Model (DTM) outlines five stages, from high birth and death rates in pre-industrial societies to low birth and death rates in developed urban societies, through a process of industrial development. It interprets the pattern of population change that most industrial countries have experienced over the last 200 years. Importantly, the DTM is an idealized model, and while it helps in understanding basic population change patterns, it may not precisely predict every country's demographic journey. Factors such as economic security, education, especially for women, and changes in the perceived value of large families, play significant roles in this demographic shift.