Applying the Demographic Transition Model
This page focuses on practical applications and deeper understanding of the Demographic Transition Model through various tasks and a past paper question analysis.
The first task asks students to order the stages correctly, reinforcing the sequence of demographic changes. Subsequent questions delve into specific aspects of each stage, such as:
- Characteristics of high birth and death rates in Stage 1
- The rapid fall of death rates in Stage 2 and its causes
- Changes in birth rates, death rates, and total population in Stage 3
- Factors contributing to low birth and death rates in Stage 4 (using the UK as an example)
Vocabulary: Redundancy - the state of being no longer needed or useful in a job or position.
An extension task prompts students to describe each stage of the DTM in detail, considering birth rates, death rates, total population, natural increase, and providing country examples and reasons for changes.
Highlight: The extension task encourages students to synthesize their knowledge and apply it comprehensively across all stages of the model.
The document then provides guidance on answering a typical exam question about the demographic transition model stages 1-5. It suggests:
- Discussing earlier stages first
- Analyzing birth rates and their causes
- Explaining death rates and their factors
- Describing overall population trends and their reasons
Example: In Stage 4, a student might explain that population growth is low because both birth rates and death rates are very low, citing factors such as widespread access to family planning and advanced healthcare.
This structured approach helps students organize their thoughts and present a clear, well-reasoned response to questions about specific stages of the Demographic Transition Model.
