Stage 2 (High Growth)

Definition

Stage 2 (High Growth) is a phase in the Demographic Transition Model characterized by a significant decrease in death rates while birth rates remain high, leading to a rapid increase in population. This stage typically occurs after a society undergoes improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition, which contribute to increased life expectancy. During this period, the population grows at an accelerated pace as families continue to have many children, but fewer individuals die from preventable causes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Countries in Stage 2 typically experience a population explosion due to the gap between high birth rates and declining death rates.
2. Improvements in medical technology and healthcare access are crucial factors that lead to lower death rates in this stage.
3. Stage 2 often aligns with the early stages of industrialization, as economies begin shifting from agriculture-based to more diverse economic activities.
4. Regions that are transitioning into Stage 2 often see increased urbanization as people move to cities for better job opportunities and living conditions.
5. Countries like Afghanistan and many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa exemplify Stage 2 demographics, with substantial population growth and challenges related to infrastructure and resource distribution.

Review Questions

• How does Stage 2 (High Growth) differ from Stage 1 in the Demographic Transition Model?
  • Stage 2 (High Growth) differs from Stage 1 mainly in the decline of death rates due to improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition, while birth rates remain high. In Stage 1, both birth and death rates are high, resulting in a stable population. As societies move into Stage 2, the health interventions that reduce mortality contribute to significant population growth, whereas Stage 1 experiences little or no growth due to high mortality.
• What social and economic changes are typically associated with Stage 2 (High Growth), and how do they affect population dynamics?
  • Stage 2 (High Growth) is associated with increased access to healthcare, improved sanitation, and shifts towards industrialization. These changes lead to lower death rates while birth rates remain high. As a result, populations grow rapidly. The transition can also spur urbanization as people seek better job opportunities in cities. However, this rapid growth can strain resources and infrastructure, leading to challenges like overcrowding and insufficient services.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of remaining in Stage 2 (High Growth) for countries' development trajectories and global demographics.
  • Remaining in Stage 2 (High Growth) can have significant long-term implications for a country's development trajectory. Continued high population growth can strain resources, limit economic development, and hinder progress toward achieving stability and sustainability. Countries that do not transition to Stage 3 may struggle with issues such as unemployment, inadequate healthcare, and educational deficiencies. Furthermore, these dynamics can influence global demographics by contributing to migration patterns as individuals seek better opportunities in more developed regions.

Related terms

Birth Rate:

The number of live births per 1,000 people in a given year, often used to measure population growth.

Death Rate: The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a given year, reflecting the health and mortality conditions of a population.

Population Explosion:

A rapid increase in population size, often resulting from high birth rates and declining death rates during certain demographic stages.