Birth Rate - Demographic Transition

Demographic Transition

Demographic transition refers to the decline in population mortality and fertility decline with social and economic development. The two major factors affecting demographic transition are the crude birth rate (CBR) and the crude death rate (CDR).

Demographic transition may be considered in four stages. During the first and second stages, the CBR remains high because people still live in agrarian cultures and require farm labour; infant mortality is high. During the third stage, the CBR begins to decline due to women's increasing participation outside the home and a reduced need for farm labour. During the fourth stage the CBR is sustained at a low level, with some countries having rates below the replacement level in other countries.