demographic transition
The historical shift from a demographic regime of high and fluctuating *mortality and *fertility rates (‘traditional’), to a regime of relatively low and stable mortality and fertility rates (‘modern’). Mortality rates decline first, followed by fertility rates; the timing and magnitude of these events affects the subsequent level of population increase. The transition has been observed for much of Europe, North America, and Japan, countries where there is a long run of demographic records. Demographers—notably Frank W. Notestein, Warren Thompson and Kingsley Davis—theorized that the transition would be a universal pattern. There is much debate as to whether other parts of the world are undergoing or will undergo, a similar transition for similar reasons.... ...
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