Why are Death Rates so High in Stage 1?


Since countries in Stage 1 are the least developed, they are prone to famine and disease outbreaks. Countries can also find themselves in Stage 1 due to war. One of the best-known examples of this is Rwanda, which experienced a devastating civil war and genocide from 1990 to 1994, in which nearly 2 million Rwandans died. This high loss of life cancelled out the country’s high birth rate. Poor medical knowledge can also lead to a country experiencing high death rates, since contagious diseases are spread rapidly due to poor sanitation and hygiene practices. This, combined with a poor diet, can lead to high death rates. An example of this is the Ebola virus, which has killed nearly 11,500 people since the outbreak began in 2014. Most of the deaths caused by the virus occurred in countries along the West Coast of Africa.


Stage 2: Early Expanding Stage


Stage 2 is characterised by a rapid population growth. There is a rapid decrease in the country’s death rate, while birth rates remain high. The decrease in death rates is most commonly caused by improvements in healthcare and medical knowledge. Basic measures, such as boiling water, reduce waterborne diseases, e.g. cholera and typhoid. Greater access to clean drinking water from wells reduces the number of people drinking from free-flowing rivers and stagnant malarial lakes. Vaccines against childhood illnesses, such as measles, greatly reduce infant mortality. Basic technological advances in food production also contribute to the decreasing death rate, as simple measures such as crop rotation provide more stability with regard to crop yields.


Despite the decrease in death rates, births remain high as women remain uneducated and unaware of family planning. As in Stage 1, women began having children at a young age, meaning they have large families. These children act as carers for their ageing parents. Life expectancy remains low.


While Europe passed through Stage 2 in the nineteenth century, many of the world’s poorest countries still experience rapid population growth. Many sub-Saharan countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and Mali are in Stage 2, as are Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan.


: Fig. 1.18 The Rwandan Civil War returned the country to Stage 1 of the Demographic Transitional Model.


: Fig. 1.19 Vaccines greatly reduce child mortality.


POPULATION CHANGE OVER TIME AND SPACE


17


Elective 5: Human CHAPTER 1


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