Demographic Transition Model (DTM)
Definition
The Demographic Transition Model is a model that describes how populations change over time due to changes in birth and death rates. It consists typically four stages - high birth & death rates; high birth rate & declining death rate; declining birth & death rates; low birth & death rates.
Analogy
Consider DTM as an epic movie saga about human society. In Stage 1 it's like survival mode where both heroes and villains die frequently (high birth & death rates). Stage 2 is like a plot twist where fewer heroes die but villains still multiply (declining death rate, high birth rate). In Stage 3, the heroes start to gain control and villain numbers decrease (declining birth & death rates). Finally, in Stage 4 it's equilibrium with few heroes and villains being born or dying (low birth & death rates).
Related terms
Industrial Revolution: A period of major industrialization that took place during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Urbanization: The process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin living and working in central areas.
Aging Population: A demographic trend that occurs as the median age of a population increases due to declining fertility rates and/or rising life expectancy.
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Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (4)
As per the demographic transition model (DTM), which region predominantly remains in Stage Two?
Which stage of the Demographic Transition Model (DTM) is associated with high birth rates and low death rates?
What is one of the ways in which a country's stage in the Demographic Transition Model (DTM) affects its population distribution?
Which country is most commonly associated with the first stages of the Demographic Transition Model (DTM)?
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