38-41 Demographic transition

APES 2024

Theory of demographic transition

Theory of demographic transition

The theory that as a country moves from a subsistence economy to industrialization and increased affluence it undergoes a predictable shift in population growth

Developed country

A country with relatively high levels of industrialization and income

Developing country

A country with relatively low levels of industrialization and income

Developing countries usually have

Higher infant mortality rates and more children in the workforce than developed countries

Affluence

The state of having plentiful wealth including the possession of money, goods, or property

Phase 1: Pre-Industrial

slow population growth because high birth rates and high death rates offset each other

Phase 2: Industrializing

rapid population growth because birth rates
remain high but death rates decline because of better sanitation, clean drinking water, availability of food and health care

Phase 3: Industrialized

stable population growth as the economy and
educational system improve and people have fewer children

Phase 4: Post-Industrial

Declining population growth because the relatively high level of affluence and economic development encourage women to delay having children

IPAT equation

An equation used to estimate the impact of the
human lifestyle on the environment: impact = population × affluence × technology (sometimes x sensitivity as well)

A country’s affluence often corresponds with

with its resource use and level of impact

Gross domestic product (GDP)

A measure of the value of all products and services produced in one year in one country