High stationary stage

Definition

The high stationary stage is a phase in demographic transition theory where both birth rates and death rates are high, resulting in a stable population size. During this stage, societies experience little to no population growth due to the balance between high fertility rates and high mortality rates, often influenced by limited access to healthcare, sanitation, and education.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the high stationary stage, both birth and death rates can exceed 30 per 1,000 people, resulting in a very slow population growth.
2. This stage is typically associated with pre-industrial societies where agricultural lifestyles are prevalent and there are high levels of infant mortality.
3. Population stability during this stage can lead to socio-economic challenges due to limited workforce growth despite high fertility.
4. Nations in the high stationary stage often have limited access to modern healthcare and education, contributing to sustained high mortality rates.
5. Cultural factors, such as the value placed on large families for labor support, can sustain high fertility rates in this phase.

Review Questions

• How does the high stationary stage differ from other stages in the demographic transition model?
  • The high stationary stage is characterized by both high birth and death rates leading to population stability, unlike later stages where death rates decline significantly while birth rates remain high or also decrease. In earlier stages, birth rates may begin to rise as societies move from high mortality due to improved healthcare. This balance contrasts sharply with the later transition stages where both birth and death rates drop significantly.
• What socio-economic factors contribute to maintaining high birth and death rates in societies at the high stationary stage?
  • Societies in the high stationary stage often face socio-economic challenges such as limited access to healthcare services, inadequate sanitation, and low educational attainment. These factors contribute to high mortality rates while cultural norms favoring larger families sustain high fertility rates. The lack of economic development prevents shifts towards lower mortality rates that typically occur in more developed societies.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of remaining in the high stationary stage for a country's demographic trends and economic development.
  • Remaining in the high stationary stage can have severe long-term implications for a country's demographic trends and economic development. Persistent high birth and death rates can strain resources, limit economic growth, and hinder social progress. As population stability is maintained without significant growth, there may be inadequate labor force expansion for industrialization. This stagnation can result in challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and increased dependency ratios, ultimately hindering overall development.

Related terms

demographic transition model:

A theoretical framework that describes the transition of a society from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as it develops economically.

fertility rate: The average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime, often influenced by cultural, economic, and social factors.

mortality rate:

The frequency of deaths in a given population during a specific time period, often impacted by healthcare access, nutrition, and living conditions.