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Flip to reveal answersWhat is the demographic transition model (DTM)?
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All 15 Flashcards — Factors affecting population change
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Question
What is the demographic transition model (DTM)?
Answer
A model showing how birth and death rates change as a country develops economically, typically moving from high rates to low rates.
💡 Hint
Birth/death rates change with development
Question
In the DTM, which usually falls first: birth rate or death rate?
Answer
Death rate typically falls first due to improved healthcare and sanitation (Stage 2).
💡 Hint
Stage 2 clue
Question
Give two factors that reduce death rates (CDR).
Answer
Improved healthcare (vaccinations/medicines) and improved sanitation (clean water/sewage).
💡 Hint
Healthcare + sanitation
Question
What is the strongest single factor for reducing birth rates (CBR)?
Answer
Female education (girls staying in school tends to delay childbirth and reduce family size).
💡 Hint
Female education
Question
What happens in DTM Stage 2 (early expanding)?
Answer
Death rate falls rapidly due to improved sanitation/healthcare while birth rate stays high, causing rapid population growth.
💡 Hint
CDR falls first
Question
What causes the rapid population growth in DTM Stage 2?
Answer
A large gap between high birth rates and rapidly falling death rates.
💡 Hint
High CBR + falling CDR
Question
How does urbanisation tend to reduce birth rates?
Answer
Children become an economic cost rather than an asset; access to education and healthcare increases; women have more employment opportunities.
💡 Hint
City life changes incentives
Question
What is the key change in DTM Stage 3 (late expanding)?
Answer
Birth rate falls due to education, urbanisation, and contraception, so population growth slows.
💡 Hint
CBR falls
Question
Name two factors that reduce birth rates in Stage 3.
Answer
Increased female education and access to contraception (also urbanisation and employment).
💡 Hint
Education + contraception
Question
What characterises DTM Stage 4 (low stationary)?
Answer
Low birth and death rates with a stable population (typical of many HICs).
💡 Hint
Low CBR + low CDR
Question
Why is female education so effective at reducing fertility?
Answer
It delays marriage/childbearing, increases career opportunities, improves knowledge and use of family planning, and changes desired family size.
💡 Hint
Delays + choices
Question
How does improved nutrition reduce death rates?
Answer
Better food security reduces malnutrition and increases resistance to disease, lowering mortality (especially infant mortality).
💡 Hint
Less malnutrition → fewer deaths
Question
Exam tip: Which factor links to which rate?
Answer
Healthcare/sanitation mainly reduce CDR; female education/contraception mainly reduce CBR.
💡 Hint
Don’t mix CBR vs CDR
Question
Why is Stage 5 (declining) considered “contested”?
Answer
Not all countries follow the same pathway; very low birth rates and ageing can cause decline, but policies/migration can alter trends.
💡 Hint
DTM is a model, not a rule
Question
Data skill: How can you identify a DTM stage from CBR/CDR data?
Answer
Look at whether CDR is falling, whether CBR is falling, and the size of the gap between them (growth rate).
💡 Hint
Gap tells growth
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Full study notes for Factors affecting population change
Topic 8.1 hub
Human populations
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