MCAT® ExamPsychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of BehaviorHard
A sociologist is analyzing data from a recent census in a developed country. They observe a trend where the birth rate has fallen below the replacement level, the death rate is low, and the proportion of the elderly population is significantly increasing, while the proportion of the young population is decreasing. This demographic shift is most characteristic of which stage of the demographic transition model?
- AStage 2: Early expanding
- BStage 3: Late expanding
- CStage 1: High stationary
- DStage 4: Low stationary
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Stage 4: Low stationary
Stage 4 of the demographic transition model is characterized by low birth rates (often below replacement level) and low death rates, leading to a stable or slowly decreasing population size and an aging population structure. The scenario perfectly matches these characteristics.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Stage 2 has high birth rates and rapidly falling death rates, leading to rapid population growth.
- B. Stage 3 has falling birth rates and low death rates, with continued moderate population growth.
- C. Stage 1 has high birth and death rates, leading to a stable but young population.
Demographic Transition Model (Stage 4)
The fourth stage of the Demographic Transition Model, characterized by very low birth rates (often below replacement level) and very low death rates, resulting in a stable or slowly decreasing population and an aging population structure.
- Birth rate falls below replacement level
- Death rate remains low
- Population stabilizes or slightly declines
- Increased proportion of elderly individuals
Memory trick: Transition: From many births/deaths to few births/deaths.