Which stage of the four-stage demographic transition is characterized by rapid population growth due to a decline in death rates while birth rates remain high?

• A. First
• B. Third
• C. Fourth
• D. Second

Answer: (D)

The concept being tested is how changes in death and birth rates drive rapid population growth in different stages of the demographic transition. In the early expanding stage, health improvements—like better sanitation, vaccines, and medical care—cause death rates to fall quickly. At the same time, birth rates remain high because cultural expectations, limited access to contraception, and the economic value of having more children keep fertility levels strong. With more people surviving but births staying high, the population grows rapidly. This stage often follows initial improvements in health and before fertility behavior changes in response to modernization. The other stages don’t fit this pattern: the first stage has high and similar birth and death rates leading to little growth, the third stage sees birth rates decline as societies modernize, and the fourth stage has both birth and death rates low with a stabilized population.