What does the demographic transition model (DTM) illustrate?

The demographic transition model (DTM) illustrates the transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a society progresses through various stages of development. This model is based on historical trends observed in the demographic patterns of many countries.

In the early stages of development, societies typically experience high birth and death rates due to limited medical knowledge, poor healthcare, and a reliance on subsistence agriculture. As development occurs, improvements in healthcare and sanitation lead to a decline in death rates, while birth rates remain high for some time, resulting in population growth. Eventually, as societies continue to develop—often due to urbanization, education, and access to contraception—birth rates begin to decline, leading to a stabilization of the population.

This model is significant because it helps explain the demographic changes that accompany economic and social development, illustrating how population trends can vary by region and time period depending on the level of development. The other options do not encapsulate the core concept of the DTM; they discuss different aspects of demographics and human geography without focusing on the specific transition process illustrated by the model.