Registered Environmental Manager (REM) Practice Exam

Which of the following is most likely to occur in a low stationary stage of the demographic transition model?

1. Population stability with low birth and death rates

2. Rapid industrial growth and high migration rates

3. Fluctuations in birth and death rates

4. Continued expansion of agricultural practices

The correct answer is: Population stability with low birth and death rates

In the low stationary stage of the demographic transition model, the population experiences stability characterized by low birth and death rates. This stage is typically observed in highly developed countries where both mortality and fertility rates have declined significantly. As a result, the population does not grow rapidly but remains at a stable level. During this stage, improvements in healthcare, education, and economic conditions contribute to the stabilization of the population. People tend to have fewer children due to increased access to contraception and changing social norms, while improvements in healthcare reduce mortality rates, allowing people to live longer lives. This balance between low birth rates and low death rates leads to a relatively stable population size, rather than any rapid growth or decline. The other options presented refer to different stages or dynamics within the demographic transition model. Rapid industrial growth and high migration rates, fluctuations in birth and death rates, or continued agricultural expansion are associated with other phases of demographic transition, such as the early transitional stages where countries are experiencing changes due to industrialization, urbanization, or shifts in economic practices. In contrast, the low stationary stage is specifically marked by the aforementioned stability in demographic figures.