Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the demographic transition model (15 marks)
The demographic transition model describes how the population of a country changes over time. It gives changes in birth rates and death rates, and shows that countries pass through five different stages of population change (Stage one – High fluctuation, Stage two – Early expanding, Stage three – Late expanding, Stage four – Low fluctuating and Stage five – Decline)
The demographic transition model has both strengths and weaknesses for example some strengths would include that the demographic transition model is a universal concept, therefore being able to be applied to every country in the world,
Another strength would be that the model shows a change over time and can be seen as a predictor, with the expectation that every country will progress through the stages of the model for countries in Europe and the USA the model works well and was good to bode where countries are going in regards to development. It also shows change over time and can also shows change over time and can be used as a head start point for discussion about how to help LEDCs to develop.
However the Demographic Transition model also has its weaknesses some weakness would include the fact that the demographic transition model does not include the role of the government, some governments may put antenatal and prenatal operations in place to encourage the decrease or to increase the birth rate within these countries, therefore countries like China that are antenatal and have the one child policy put in place and countries like the UK which are prenatal and offer child benefits may show fluctuation of the birth rate in stages it should be decreasing or increasing in. Further more In stage four, the UK experienced a post-war baby boom where the birth rate should be steadily decreasing – this shows that the demographic transition model does not include the impacts of wars, natural hazards or migration either.
In addition another weakness would be that it is Eurocentric based and therefore
The demographic transition model has both strengths and weaknesses for example some strengths would include that the demographic transition model is a universal concept, therefore being able to be applied to every country in the world,
Another strength would be that the model shows a change over time and can be seen as a predictor, with the expectation that every country will progress through the stages of the model for countries in Europe and the USA the model works well and was good to bode where countries are going in regards to development. It also shows change over time and can also shows change over time and can be used as a head start point for discussion about how to help LEDCs to develop.
However the Demographic Transition model also has its weaknesses some weakness would include the fact that the demographic transition model does not include the role of the government, some governments may put antenatal and prenatal operations in place to encourage the decrease or to increase the birth rate within these countries, therefore countries like China that are antenatal and have the one child policy put in place and countries like the UK which are prenatal and offer child benefits may show fluctuation of the birth rate in stages it should be decreasing or increasing in. Further more In stage four, the UK experienced a post-war baby boom where the birth rate should be steadily decreasing – this shows that the demographic transition model does not include the impacts of wars, natural hazards or migration either.
In addition another weakness would be that it is Eurocentric based and therefore