Question

part 2: matching anecdotes to stages of dtm
below are short anecdotes about countries demographic situations. read each one carefully, and based on
what youve learned about the dtm, match each anecdote to the correct stage of the model.

1. in this country, bustling cities are filled with senior citizens enjoying long, healthy lives, while

playgrounds grow quieter. the fertility rate has dipped below replacement level, and the population is
aging quickly. to sustain the workforce, the government now offers tax breaks, childcare subsidies, and
even paid parental leave to encourage families to have more children.
stage:

1. new hospitals, vaccines, and clean water systems have transformed this developing nation. death

rates are falling fast, but birth rates remain high as families still view children as a sign of prosperity and
security. the result is a population boom—villages are swelling, and cities are just beginning to grow as
modernization takes hold.
stage:

1. in the mountain villages of this country, families rely on their children to help with farming and

household chores. most families have many children, hoping some will survive into adulthood, since
diseases, poor sanitation, and limited medical care claim many young lives. recently, a few wells and a
small health clinic have been built, offering the first signs of change—but high birth rates remain the
norm.
stage:

1. city skylines are rising, and families are trading farmland for apartments. as women gain access to

higher education and new career paths, many are choosing to have fewer children—or to delay
parenthood altogether. healthcare and sanitation are strong, and population growth is slowing as the
country shifts from large, traditional families to smaller, urban ones.
stage:

Explanation:

1. In this anecdote, the fertility rate is below replacement level, population is aging, and the government is taking measures to encourage more children. This is characteristic of Stage 4 (Low - Fluctuating) of the Demographic Transition Model (DTM). In Stage 4, birth rates and death rates are both low.
2. Here, death rates are falling (due to new hospitals, vaccines, clean water) but birth rates remain high. This matches Stage 2 (Early Expanding) of the DTM. In Stage 2, improvements in healthcare lead to a decline in death rates while birth rates remain high due to cultural and economic factors (like children being seen as a form of security).
3. High birth rates (many children for farming and chores, hoping some survive) and high death rates (due to diseases, poor sanitation, limited medical care) are typical of Stage 1 (High - Fluctuating) of the DTM. Although there are some initial signs of change (wells and a small health clinic), the overall high birth rate situation still aligns with Stage 1.
4. As women gain access to higher education and new career paths, birth rates are declining (fewer children or delayed parenthood), and the population growth is slowing. This is in line with Stage 3 (Late Expanding) of the DTM. In Stage 3, social and economic changes (such as increased education for women, urbanization) start to reduce birth rates while death rates remain low.

Answer:

1. Stage 4
2. Stage 2
3. Stage 1
4. Stage 3