What does the demographic transition model illustrate?

The demographic transition model illustrates population changes over time, specifically focusing on the trends of birth rates and death rates through different stages of development. This model is divided into five or six stages, each representing a different phase of population growth and demographic characteristics.

In the early stages, high birth rates and high death rates lead to a stable population. As a region advances, improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and education typically lead to a decline in death rates while birth rates remain high, causing a population surge. Eventually, as societies become more developed, birth rates also start to decline, leading to a more stable population.

This model helps demographers and planners understand how populations change over time and predict future trends, making it a critical tool in geography and social studies. It is less about geographical boundaries, economic growth, or climatic influences and more focused on the interplay of birth and death rates and their effects on population dynamics.