Making Population Real – Lesson Plan 2: The Demographic Transition Issues Population growth Development Population Concepts Classic model of demographic transition Patterns of changing birth and death rates Tools Line graphs Research and analysis Today, we’ll be discussing population growth and development By looking at a model called the demographic transition, focusing on changing birth and death rates over time. We’ll use line graphs to visualize the patterns and compare various countries to the model.

Objectives To understand the classic demographic transition (DT) model To explain assumptions and limitations of the classic DT model To construct graphs of contemporary demographic change To explain contemporary demographic patterns in the context of the classic DT model Our objectives are to …[see slide].

What is the Demographic Transition? The shift from high to low mortality and fertility Based on the experience of Western Europe Began by Warren Thompson in 1929 Further developed in 1945 by Frank Notestein A sign of socio-economic progress? The shift from high mortality and fertility to low mortality and fertility is known as the “demographic transition.” It is based on the experience of Western Europe, in particular England and Wales. This model was first described by the American demographer Warren Thompson in 1929. In 1945, Frank W. Notestein further developed this theory and suggested that there was a relationship between population change and industrialization. A debate continues questioning if population growth must decline for economic development or if economic progress (or industrialization) leads to slower population growth. In light of this debate, the completion of the demographic transition has come to be associated with socioeconomic progress. [FYI – The factors that drive childbearing trends—such as the economy, education, gender relations, and access to family planning—are numerous and complex. These same factors are signs of socioeconomic development.]

The Classic Demographic Transition Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Time Natural increase Birth rate Death rate Note: Natural increase is produced from the excess of births over deaths. This chart explains the typical changes in the birth rate and death rate that happen as a country industrializes (including the U.S.). It models the classic demographic transition. This shift occurred throughout Europe, North America, and a number of other areas in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and started in many developing countries in the middle of the 20th century. Stage 1: The trend of high birth and death rates (and minimal population growth) Stage 2: Starts when the death rate begins to drop for years, and often decades, until the beginning of its stabilization at a new, low level. (In Europe, this stage happened because of improved health and living conditions and marked beginning a period of rapid population growth.) Stage 3: Next the birth rate falls to about the same, low level as the death rate. Stage 4: With birth and death rates at similar low levels, the equilibrium of slow population growth is regained. [FYI - Declines in the birth rate around the world have also become steeper due to the widespread availability of contraceptives in the last half of the 20th Century. In 1960 10% of married women worldwide had access to family planning. By 2003 60% of married women had access to family planning. (PRB, “Transitions in World Population,” Population Bulletin, p. 8)]

Examine the Model A Model is … a representation of some phenomenon of the real world made in order to facilitate an understanding of its workings a simplified and generalized version of real events, from which the incidental detail has been removed The previous graph models the demographic transition. As we continue looking at a few specific countries, you will their actual graphs are not as clear cut.

Making Population Real – Lesson Plan 2: The Demographic Transition Why does this pattern occur? [A: The short answer is that as people become more economically secure, particularly as the infant and child mortality rates fall, people feel much less need for many children. Indeed, in a highly developed industrial economy, more children can become a financial burden. Another part of this answer would point to women’s rights and access to education and jobs outside the home. Or the transition from agrarian to industrialized economies.]

Demographic Transition in Sweden and Mexico Sources: B.R. Mitchell, European Historical Statistics 1750-1970 (1976): table B6; Council of Europe, Recent Demographic Developments in Europe 2001 (2001): tables T3.1 and T4.1; CELADE, Boletin demografico 69 (2002): tables 4 and 7; Francisco Alba-Hernandez, La poblacion de Mexico (1976): 14; and UN Population Division, World Population Prospects: The 2002 Revision (2003): 326. Births/Deaths per 1,000 1750 Compare the transitions between these two countries to the classic model. Why are the two countries so different? [A: The short answer is that Sweden’s transition occurred gradually over 150 years. Mexico experienced rapid declines in death rates due to rapid implementation of better health care and sanitation technologies. The result was that Mexico’s population boomed during this period. It took time for the decline in birth rates to catch up. At the same time, this boom created its own momentum as all these new families have children of their own. Eventually Mexico’s population will likely stabilize (or even shrink), but at a much greater overall population. This pattern was repeated in many nations in the 20th Century, fueling a global population explosion. However, we’re also seeing in several countries – including Sweden – birth rates have dropped below death rates leading to population decline in most of Europe, Japan, and some other nations.]

Making Population Real – Lesson Plan 2: The Demographic Transition How useful is the classic model of demographic transition in today’s world? Assignment: Construct a graph showing the birth and death rates for one of four assigned countries. Presenter Instructions: Distribute the handout, “Data Tables” Participants will need pencils and graph paper. Divide participants into small groups. Have these groups count off by one to four. Assign one of the four nations on the hand-out to each number. Each group will construct a line graph with years on the horizontal axis and births/deaths per 1,000 on the vertical axis. Create two lines, one for birth rate, and one for death rate.

Is the Demographic Transition Model Still Useful? How well does the classic model work? Is it a useful framework for developing countries? Do developing countries need to share the experiences of Europe and the United States? Is the socioeconomic change experienced by industrialized countries a prerequisite or a consequence of demographic transition? [To prepare for this discussion, read pages 3-11 in the Population Reference Bureau’s Population Bulletin on “Transitions in World Population.” March 2004] How well does the classic model work? Is the Demographic Transition Model useful as a framework for evaluating demographic change in regions outside Europe and the U.S.? [A: There are significant and sometimes complex variances to the model, whether due to economic chaos (e.g. Russia), disease (South Africa), or continued population growth (Congo), yet the model is still useful as a guide and as a standard of comparison.] Is it necessary that all countries share the experiences of Europe and the United States in order to pass through a demographic transition? [A: Participants may raise questions related to women’s rights or cultural values (religion) as other important factors. All countries must not necessarily share the same experiences of Europe and the USA, but in some way economic opportunities must be available to all (men and women, as well as all, if not most ethnic/racial groups) for a country to complete the Demographic Transition.] Is the socioeconomic change experienced by industrialized countries a prerequisite or a consequence of demographic transition? Are there multiple ways to achieve a similar end? This is a question of ongoing debate.

Making Population Real – Lesson Plan 2: The Demographic Transition Activities: Explaining Population Change: Graph changing birth & death rates in classic model (England) Graph & compare rates for Sweden & Mexico Global Population Patterns and Demographic Transitions: Calculate natural increase by continent & country Compare demographic with economic indicators Can an Old Model Explain New Trends? Compare national population patterns to model The exercises we just covered come from activities one and three of the lesson plan on the demographic transition. The second activity, “Global Population Patterns and Demographic Transitions,” helps students gain a clearer picture of birth and death rates around the world.

Making Population Real Lesson Plans Population Fundamentals – Building a Foundation Populations in the Path of Natural Hazards The Demographic Transition – A Contemporary Look at a Classic Model HIV/AIDS and Contemporary Population Dynamics Population Policy – Progress Since Cairo People on the Move Global Migration Patterns [Omit slides 16-19 if you are conducting the 3-hour workshop as they are reviewed in the Overview presentation of Making Population Real and PRB.] This lesson plan comes from a larger package written for the AP classes called “Making Population Real.” The entire package includes 7 lesson plans. “Population Fundamentals:” Introduces key concepts in population studies. “Populations in the Path of Natural Hazards:” Examines the vulnerability of coastal communities, using Florida and Puerto Rico as examples. In this session, we reviewed the “The Demographic Transition” lesson plan “HIV/AIDS and Contemporary Population Dynamics:” looks at the extent, distribution, and impacts of AIDS. “Population Policy–Progress Since Cairo:” Explores contemporary understanding of links between development and population growth, with an emphasis on the status of women. One student activity examines the usefulness and accuracy of indexes, looking at the Human Development Index. “People on the Move:” Looks at migration patterns within the United States. “Global Migration Patterns:” Examines historical and current immigration to U.S. and explores the implications of major refugee movements.

Population Reference Bureau Informs people around the world about population, health, and the environment, and empowers them to use that information to advance the well-being of current and future generations. Analyzes demographic data and research to provide objective, accurate, and up-to-date population information in a format that is easily understood by educators, journalists, and decision makers alike. Population Reference Bureau is a non-profit organization with these goals … [See slide; the first bullet is the mission statement].

This is PRB’s home page with the section that contains the “Making Population Real” teaching package and other curricula circled in red.