In the classical theory of demographic transition, the phase of MAXIMUM population growth rate corresponds to:

• A High stationary stage, with both birth and death rates high
• B Early expanding stage, with falling death rate but sustained high birth rate ✓
• C Late expanding stage, with falling birth rate approaching the death rate
• D Low stationary stage, with both rates low and equal

Explanation

In the early expanding stage, public health improvements cause the death rate to fall sharply while cultural and social factors keep the birth rate high. The gap between the two curves, which represents the rate of natural increase, is widest here, producing explosive population growth. In the late expanding stage the birth rate is already declining, so the gap narrows and growth slows.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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