Overview of the Demographic Transition
The underlying differences among the non-industrial and industrial nations are numerous. This research paper explores the concept of demographic transition and different phases through which a country is guided through its primal changes into an industrial economy. The demographic transition looks into the environmental impacts of the process of industrialization with regard to the country’s density, size, and distribution of the human population. The coverage of this demographic transition takes into consideration of birth rates, death rates, age distribution, among other factors that have considerable influence on the size and growth of a population (Gilbert, 2006).
The course of human history has made many people to be interested in the characteristics of human population vis a vis the future of the population growth. The analysis of how there have been changes in the western populations over time, has resulted to discovery of one pattern indicating that there was a relationship between the population growth and economic development of a nation. The countries with high standards of living had s slow population growth rate, while those countries with low standards of living, their population grew a bit rapidly. The discovery resulted into the emergence of the concept of demographic transition encompassing a series of stages that a country undergo through at the time of its transition from non-industrial to industrial. The concept of demographic transition entails the four stages which are based on the changes in the size of the population and social behaviors:
Stage 1:Pre-industrial stage. At this stage, the population is stable, having both high birth rates and high death rates.
Stage 2: Transitional stage. At this stage, human population begins increase as a result of high birth rates and decreasing death rates.
Stage 3: Industrial stage. This stage is characterized with increasing population with declining birth rates and low death rates.
Stage 4: Post Industrial. At this stage there is stabilization of the population (low stationary). There is low death rates and low birth rates.
This research particularly looks into the demographic and environmental timeline of Germany as the table below depicts.
Demographic and Environmental Timeline – Germany.
| Stage | Year | Situation in the Country |
| Stage 1 | 1800 | Major Historical Changes: The country used the Continental System in staging resistance over the Napoleon. Military and Educational reforms are undertaken by Prussian Reform Movement. The country is under Catholicismand Metternich together with Liberalism is becoming more prominent.
Changing Population Size: The constant wars in the region during this period resulted to the general population of the nation decreasing. Germans staged resistance over the Napoleon who wanted to become the ruler of the world. Birth and Death Rates: There is low birth rates and high death rates. This is also ascribed to the constant wars going on at this period and the fact that couples do not give birth as it is would have been expected. Environmental Impact: There is severe environmental impact across the nation due to the Wars. The use of machines during the wars tend to result into release of a lot of toxic gases into the atmosphere, hence causing a lot of effects on the population in the process. |
| Stage 2 | 1900 | Major Historical Changes: This period marked the time when there was a call for peace resolution in the country and the Treaty of Versailles is signed to end the First World War. The German’s economy faces Depression and the nation experiences demise of Parliamentary Democracy. The recognition of women was basically where small entrepreneurs are getting encouraged to venture into different businesses. The country also embraces Modernityand national Socialism with the aim to pave way to the initial steps and course into the Foreign Policy.
Changing Population Size: The underlying impacts of the nation recovering from the First and Second World War is the increase in the population size. The nation further becomes more and more industrialized and there is increased confidence among people to in regarding Germany as a country to reside in. Birth and Death Rates: The nation experiences high birth rates and a decrease in the death rates as a result of the end of the World Wars. Peace is gradually residing in the country and the right of women are being fought for, hence encouraging women to bear children once more. Environmental Impact: Environmental impact is highlyincreasing due to Industrial revolution. The nation is making steps to recover from the effects of the war periods and makes attempts to economically heal itself through industrialization. |
| Stage 3 | 1960 | Major Historical Changes: Germany’s Federal Republic forges the Great Coalition of 1966 to 1969. The nation confronts with the past thereby forming the Extra-Parliamentary Opposition. There is formalization of the Chancellorship of Willy Brandt; which is followed by subsequent terrorist act within the country, which forced the federal government to mitigate on this issue. At this time, Germany also debated on the forging and usage of Atomic Weapons. There is a major transformation upon the West German Society during this time.
Changing Population Size: The size of the nation’s population is still considerably low and constant as Germans tryto adjust themselves into the New Germany. The foreign people in particularly seemed reluctant to have permanent residence in the country. Birth and Death Rates: Still the nation experience high birth rateswith the death rates are rapidly decreasing. Environmental Impact: The country at this stage has fully embraced industrialization and this has caused a number of instances of atmospheric pollution and the general society. |
| Stage 4 | 1990 | Major Historical Changes: Germans welcome technological advancements. The tearing down of the Berlin Wall happens and both West and the East Germany reunified after their division over the course of the Cold War. This reunification of Germany unravels debates over the nation’s past.
Changing Population Size: The size of the nation’s population is on the increase as the citizens and others find it comfortable enough to settle in the country. There are steps of investments into the nation’s economy by foreigners though not as many as expected. Birth and Death Rates: The birth rates decreases and so has the death rates. The Women empowerment have heightened and theyare now capable of earning individual incomes through getting employed. They are opting to first engage into employment then have children at a stage when they are financially stable. Environmental Impact: The nation is experiencing increased industrialization as well as urbanization. Pollution and toxic chemicals emitted from the factories and the industries are imposing challenges to the environment and theGerman community at large as the majority of individual opt to burn fossil fuels for their day-to-day use. |
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