Reasons for Population Change

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Stage 1
  • High death rate - poor medical knowledge, diet, water supply and sanitation
  • High birth rate - children used on farms, no reliable contraception
Stage 2
  • Decreasing death rate - medical knowledge and diet improves
  • High birth rate - still children used on farms, no reliable contraception
Stage 3
  • Decreasing death rate - more medical advances, clean water, greatly decreased infant mortality
  • Decreasing birth rate - children needed less on farms, people have smaller families when infant mortality decreases
Stage 4
  • Low death rate - advanced medical services, good living conditions, increased health education
  • Low birth rate - children cost money, contraception widely available, women gain higher status and control