Demographic Transition Model: Sweden & Mexico
1) Using the data provided construct 2 graphs that show the BR, DR, and RNI for both
Sweden and Mexico. Use different colours for the BR and DR lines.
Carefully examine the 2 graphs in order to help answer the following questions. Notice
that there is a significant difference in the dates along the horizontal axes.
2a) In both Sweden and Mexico which seems to decline first – birth or death rates ?
b) Suggest some reasons for this.
c) Did the death rate decline in Sweden or Mexico first ?
Why do you believe this was the case ?
3) What happened to the rate of natural increase as the death rates began to drop ?
4a) When did the birth rates seem to start going down on a fairly regular basis in each
country ?
b) What effect has the declining birth rates had on the rate of natural increase ?
c) Why has Mexico’s birth rate decline started much more recently than Sweden’s ?
d) Once Mexico’s birth rate did start to decline, it was a very slow decline, even into the
late 1900s. Why ?
5a) Using the graphs you constructed, draw lines indicating where you believe the various
stages of the demographic transition model start and end.
b) Have both countries gone through all 4 stages ? Explain.
6) What do you notice about the length of time (number of years) between the start of the
2nd stage and the end of the 3rd stage for Sweden ? Estimate how long this period will be
for Mexico. Explain the difference.
7a) What is similar about the Stage 1 and Stage 4 of the Demographic Transition Model ?
b) What is very different about these two stages ?
c) What conclusion can you draw about low rates of natural increase ?