Demographic Transition Model Questions Medium
Demographic momentum refers to the tendency of a population to continue growing even after fertility rates have declined and reached replacement level. It occurs due to the presence of a large cohort of young individuals who are entering their reproductive years.
When a population experiences a decline in fertility rates, it takes some time for the effects to be reflected in the overall population growth. This is because the large number of individuals in the reproductive age group continue to have children, even if they have fewer children compared to previous generations. As a result, the number of births still exceeds the number of deaths, leading to population growth.
Demographic momentum is influenced by several factors. Firstly, there is a time lag between the decline in fertility rates and the decrease in the number of births. This lag is due to the fact that individuals in the reproductive age group have already been born and will continue to have children for some time.
Secondly, improvements in healthcare and living conditions have increased life expectancy, leading to a larger number of individuals reaching reproductive age. This further contributes to the momentum of population growth.
Lastly, cultural and social factors also play a role in demographic momentum. In some societies, there may be a preference for larger families or a lack of access to contraception, which can delay the decline in fertility rates.
Demographic momentum eventually slows down as the smaller cohorts born during the period of declining fertility reach reproductive age. At this point, the population growth rate starts to decline and eventually stabilizes. Understanding demographic momentum is crucial for policymakers and planners to anticipate future population trends and develop appropriate strategies for managing population growth and its associated challenges.