The demographic transition theory takes into account economic development and population growth. Which of the following is not associated with the transitional stage of population growth?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → High death rate
Option (1) High birth rate — Associated (Incorrect). In the transitional stage it takes longer for society to alter its reproductive behaviour, which was formed in the period of poverty and high death rates. So the birth rate stays high for a while.
Option (2) High death rate — Not associated (Correct). A high death rate, together with a high birth rate, marks the first stage of an underdeveloped, technologically backward society. In the transitional stage death rates are brought down relatively quickly, and this is what causes the population explosion.
Option (3) Low death rate — Associated (Incorrect). The very high growth of the transitional stage happens because the death rate falls while the birth rate is still high; the gap between the two is wide.
Option (4) Advanced technology — Associated (Incorrect). Death rates fall in this stage through advanced methods of disease control, public health and better nutrition, as society moves from a backward to an advanced stage.
NCERT (2025-26): “The Theory of Demographic Transition … Another significant theory in demography is the theory of demographic transition. This suggests that population growth is linked to overall levels of economic development and that every society follows a typical pattern of development-related population growth. There are three basic stages of population growth.…” “…The third (and last) stage is also one of low growth in a developed society where both death rate and birth rate have been reduced considerably and the difference between them is again small. Between these two stages is a transitional stage of movement from a backward to an advanced stage, and this stage is characterised by very high rates of growth of population. This ‘population explosion’ happens because death rates are brought down relatively quickly through advanced methods of disease control, public health, and better nutrition. However, it takes longer for society to adjust to change and alter its reproductive behaviour (which was evolved during the period of poverty and high death rates) to suit the new situation of relative prosperity and longer life spans.…” |