Centrality of the Demographic Transition Concept in the Analysis of Change in Human Populations

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Centrality of the Demographic Transition Concept in the Analysis of Change in Human Populations

Population can be defined as the total number of people living in that

particular country at any one time. Population figures change from

year to year due to increases and decreases of people within that

country. These fluxes can be determined by a change in birth and death

rates and also encompasses immigration and migration in or out of a

country. If a particular country has more births than deaths the

population will increase this is also known as natural increase.

However, if I country experiences more deaths than births the

population will decrease also known as natural decrease. Many

countries worldwide have experienced dramatic changes in population

this change in population is known as the demographic transition.

A demographic transition model can be used to view the changing

population of a country over a period of time. The demographic

transition model describes a sequence of changes over a period of time

in relationships between birth rates and death rates and overall

population change. On a demographic transition model it displays both

birth rates and death rates. The birth rate of a country is the number

of live births per 1,000 population per year, and the death rate is

the number of deaths per 1,000 population per year. There are 4 main

stages to the demographic transition model:

1. High stationary

2. Early expanding

3. Late expanding

4. Low stationary

In the High Stationary phase both birth rates and death rates are

high. Many countries went through this stage prior or during the

industrial revolution...

... middle of paper ...

...n identify separate stages which can be globally

recognised by many countries. The demographic model has seen many

countries progress through all the stages of the model therefore it is

still very favourable for predicting how developing countries

population will evolve. The model continues to occupy a central

position as it is very useful for observing dramatic population

change. By using correct data values countries can see how fast their

country’s population is expanding and by observing this can use to

model to enforce policies to encourage or to discourage child births.

For example, countries can introduce family planning and teach about

contraception to help control birth rates. Countries such as China

have used an enforcement policy whereby only one child per family is

allowed to control the booming population.

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