The first stage of Demographic Transition Theory is characterized by-
(A) High fertility and high mortality
(B) Slow population growth rate
(C) High life expectancy
(D) Low level of technology
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A), (B) and (D) only
(A) High fertility and high mortality Correct. People have many children to make up for the deaths caused by epidemics and an uncertain food supply.
(B) Slow population growth rate Correct. With births and deaths both high, the population grows slowly.
(C) High life expectancy Incorrect. In the first stage life expectancy is low; it rises only in the later stages.
(D) Low level of technology Correct. People are mostly illiterate farmers with low levels of technology.
NCERT (2025-26): “Demographic Transition … Fig. 2.2 explains the three-staged model of Demographic Transition Theory: The first stage has high fertility and high mortality because people reproduce more to compensate for the deaths due to epidemics and variable food supply. The population growth is slow and most of the people are engaged in agriculture where large families are an asset. Life expectancy is low, people are mostly illiterate and have low levels of technology. Two hundred years ago all the countries of the world were in this stage.” |