Demographic Transition and Its Phases

Demographic Transition and Its Phases

Demographic Transition

Demographic transition is defined as the population growth as per time. The developed country enjoys the phase IV in which both the CBR and CDR are low. As per (Montgomery, n.d). Demographic transition is a model that defines population change over time. This idea was presented by an American demographer Warren Thompson in 1929. Demographic transition is expressed through a demographic transition model. There are IV phases of demographic transition (Demographic Transition, Hofstra.edu).

Phase I is categorized by high birth and death rate. In the first phase of demographic transition the rate of death and birth remains stationary or grows on a slow pace. The demise rate during this phase is high because of undeveloped medical sector. Common diseases become threatening and take lives of the people. Malnutrition also may become a hurdle in one's life and may cause death if get severe. The birth rate in this phase is higher because of the low survival rate of newborns. The unhygienic environment is another reason of high death rates. Dirty water, open sewerage and other harmful flaws in the society makes it worse. Also, in underdeveloped societies, parents want to have more children who can enhance their labor force. There are some religious and cultural values behind these large family systems. There is lack of family planning in this phase. The death and birth rates fluctuate. There are high deaths and lower births during war time and opposite is true in normal days.

Phase II is marked as the beginning of demographic transition. During the second phase the death rate gets lower and the birth rate stays high. This condition takes place because of the improved medical facilities, cleanliness and hygiene conditions in the localities of the country. The country's food production also becomes better both in terms of quality and quantity. The transportation facilities become upgraded which helps providing the food in the remote areas of the country. The population in this phase increases at a swift speed.

Phase III of demographic transition deals with a drop in the birth rate while the death rate remains almost unchanged. The reason of such fluctuation may be industrialization and urbanization in which the labor force is needed less. Another reason of such changes may be the socioeconomic issues. There are better sources of family planning in urban areas and the cost life in these areas is also high. Small families in these areas may spend a happy life with fewer worries.

The final phase IV of the demographic transition has a steadiness between the death rate and the birth rate. Due to improved medical science, the death rate has declined significantly as common diseases do not threaten death anymore. While, on the other hand, the birth rate has been controlled by the parents themselves as the bringing up of the children has become very expansive in terms of medical and education.

Some factors that can decline the crude birth rate (CBR) and crude death rate (CDR) in epidemiological and fertility phases include the following. There are improved medical facilities in this phase of transition which helps in bringing down the crude death rate (CDR). The advanced methods of remedies can cure different types of diseases that were known to be hazardous to life. The other probable reasons can be a vast web of transportation that can relief many problems which lead to death.

Previously the children were considered as an asset as they can help their families financially and make their economic position better. But in the new modern era, children cannot help their families due to some legislation and the awareness of literacy. Due to the increasing inflation small families are considered to be a symbol of happiness. As the cost of bringing children up has become so high, parents having more children are forced to live a hand to mouth life with limited luxuries.

There are certain living conditions and environmental impacts in developed countries which have helped these countries to reach phase IV in contrast to the developing countries which still remain in the earlier phases. The developed countries include healthcare, transportationand agriculture in their phase IV of demographic transaction. Poor healthcare facilities snatch many lives that could be saved with very ordinary treatment. The transportation facilities mainly affect the citizens of remote areas of the country where basic necessities are not provided. Agriculture sector deals with the quality and quantity of diet. If the quality of available food is not up to the mark or the quantity is not sufficient, it will affect the country ( Demographic Transition, Mediafire.com).