What are the four stages of the demographic transition?

The correct answer outlines the four stages of the demographic transition model, which describes the changes in birth and death rates as a country develops economically. In the first stage, known as the preindustrial condition, both birth and death rates are high, resulting in little population growth. As a country moves into the second stage, it experiences rapid growth, primarily due to a decline in death rates from improved healthcare and sanitation while birth rates remain high.

In the third stage, the growth rate begins to slow as birth rates start to fall, often influenced by increased access to contraception, education, and women's empowerment, leading to smaller family sizes. The fourth stage sees birth rates drop below replacement level, which means the population size stabilizes or begins to decline as mortality rates may remain low.

These stages illustrate the transition from high birth and death rates typical of agrarian societies to lower birth and death rates found in industrial and post-industrial societies. This model is crucial for understanding population dynamics and planning for future societal needs based on demographic changes.