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Stage 5

Definition

Stage 5 of the Demographic Transition Model refers to a hypothetical stage where birth rates are extremely low or even lower than death rates. This can result in negative population growth or a decline in overall population size.

Analogy

Think of it like an ice cream shop closing down because there are very few customers coming in. In Stage 5, the number of new people being born (customers) becomes so low that it cannot sustain or replace the number of people dying (ice creams being consumed). As a result, the overall "population" or number of available ice creams declines.

Related terms

Aging Population: Refers to an increasing proportion of older individuals within a population due to low fertility rates and increased life expectancy.

Population Decline: Occurs when the number of deaths exceeds the number of births, leading to a decrease in overall population size.

Demographic Challenges: Issues that arise from changes in population structure, such as an aging population, declining workforce, and strain on social welfare systems.