Demographic transition theory

Definition

Demographic Transition Theory is a sociological model that explains the transformation of countries from having high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as part of economic development. This process is typically divided into four to five stages, ranging from pre-industrial to post-industrial societies.

Related terms

Birth rate: The number of live births per 1,000 people in a population per year.

Death rate: The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a population per year.

Industrialization: The process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods.