SSC Selection Post 2025 PYQ — Question 15

Correct Answer

Death rate declines, birth rate remains high

Explanation

Stage II of the demographic transition model is characterized by a significant drop in the death rate while the birth rate remains high. Improvements in healthcare, sanitation, nutrition, and access to clean water lead to lower mortality, particularly among infants and children. Since cultural and social norms regarding family size take longer to change, the birth rate does not fall immediately, resulting in a large gap between births and deaths. This discrepancy leads to a rapid increase in the total population, often referred to as a "population explosion."

Key Points

In this stage, life expectancy begins to rise steadily due to the control of infectious diseases and better medical infrastructure. The demographic gap—the difference between the crude birth rate and the crude death rate—is widest in this stage, causing the population to grow at its fastest rate. Many developing nations experienced this phase during the 20th century as they gained access to modern medical advancements.

Important Questions and Answers

Question: What is the primary cause for the decline in the death rate during Stage II?

Answer: The primary causes are improvements in food supply, better hygiene and sanitation, and the introduction of basic medical advancements like vaccines and antibiotics, which drastically reduce deaths from preventable diseases.

Question: Why does the birth rate remain high during Stage II?

Answer: The birth rate remains high because social norms, economic dependence on large families (particularly in agrarian societies), and lack of family planning education do not change as quickly as the advancements in medicine and healthcare.