A demographer studies a country and finds that birth rates have begun to fall sharply due to widespread adoption of family planning and urbanisation, while death rates have already stabilised at a low level. The population is still growing but at a slowing pace. Which stage of demographic transition does this country represent?

• A Stage 1: High stationary
• B Stage 2: Early expanding
• C Stage 4: Low stationary
• D Stage 3: Late expanding ✓

Explanation

In Stage 3 (late expanding), death rates have fallen to a low level while birth rates are now declining, so population growth continues but decelerates. Stage 2 shows high birth rates with rapidly falling death rates, producing explosive growth. Stage 4 shows both rates low and roughly balanced. India is conventionally described as being in the late expanding stage of demographic transition.

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

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