Theory of demographic transition

Theory of demographic transition

Demography and demographic transition.

Demography is a science that deals with the behaviour of population. Demographic transition means various stages that a country undergoes in the process of economic development. Demographic transition is studied in terms of intricacy of birth rate and death rate. The number of birth occurred per thousand population in a year is termed as birth rate. The number of deaths occurred per thousand population in a year is termed as death rate. Demographic transition has three main stages

1. Stage I: High birth rate and high death rate stage,

2. Stage II: Low death rate and high death rate stage and

3. Stage III: Low birth rate and low death rate. These three stages characterise the economic development of a country.

1. High birth rate and high death rate indicate underdeveloped economy: High birth rate and high death rate are the main characteristics of an underdeveloped economy. Universal and early marriages, lack of modern education, influence of customs, tradition and attitudes are the major reasons for the high birth rate. High death rate is prevalent in underdeveloped economy. Poverty, poor diet, unhygienic sanitary conditions and absence of preventive medicine are the main reasons for high death rate in underdeveloped economy.

2. Low death rate and high birth rate indicate developing economy: Low death rate and high birth rate are the main characteristics of population in a developing economy. Improvement in the economic conditions of the people raises the standard of living of the people. There is an increased awareness of the benefits of the small family in the developed countries. Improvement in the medicine and moderately good sanitary conditions has helped in the eradication of many diseases in the developing economy. The cumulative effect of these developments reduces the incidence of diseases and deaths. Developing economies are burdened with overgrowth of population. This is mainly because fall in the death rate and existence of high birth rate.

3. Low birth rate and low death rate indicate developed economy: Low birth rate and low death rate is a sign of developed economy. The benefits of small families are greatly understood by the people in the developed economy. Advancement in science and technology has helped in reducing death rate. Low birth rate and high productivity have resulted in the improvement in the per capita income. This has a great significance in the economic development of the country. Low birth rate, high per capita income and low death rate have shifted the economic position of the country into a new equilibrium. This stage is clearly a stage of highest economic development.