Which statement describes Stage 3 of the demographic transition?

Which statement describes Stage 3 of the demographic transition?

• A. Stage 1: high birth and death
• B. Stage 2: high birth, falling death
• C. Stage 4: low birth and death
• D. Stage 3: falling birth, low death

Answer: (D)

Stage 3 describes a shift where birth rates begin to fall while death rates stay low. As societies advance—more urban living, higher education, and better access to contraception—families tend to have fewer children. At the same time, improvements in healthcare and living conditions keep death rates low. The result is continued population growth, but at a slower pace than in earlier stages. This contrasts with stages where births are still high or where both births and deaths are low.

Stage 3 describes a shift where birth rates begin to fall while death rates stay low. As societies advance—more urban living, higher education, and better access to contraception—families tend to have fewer children. At the same time, improvements in healthcare and living conditions keep death rates low. The result is continued population growth, but at a slower pace than in earlier stages. This contrasts with stages where births are still high or where both births and deaths are low.