What does the demographic transition model illustrate?

The demographic transition model illustrates population change as a country develops economically. This model outlines the stages of population growth in relation to economic development and societal changes. It typically consists of five stages, ranging from high birth and death rates in pre-industrial societies to low birth and death rates in highly developed countries. As a country progresses through these stages, it experiences significant shifts in population growth due to factors such as improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and educational advancement, which ultimately lead to lower mortality and fertility rates.

This concept emphasizes the direct correlation between economic development and demographic changes, highlighting how countries transition from traditional agrarian systems to modern industrial economies, consequently impacting their population characteristics. Other options, while related to population studies, do not accurately capture the central focus of the demographic transition model. For example, population stability over time does not consider the dynamic changes that occur throughout different stages of development, while the impact of migration, although significant, is a separate aspect that does not define the core principles of the model. Additionally, cultural changes in demographic trends may accompany economic development but are not the primary focus of the demographic transition model itself.