2.5 The Demographic Transition Model

Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage for India: India is shifting from Stage 3 to Stage 4 of the DTM.

Characteristics of this stage:

• High Birth Rates: Many Indian families still have a lot of children, although the number is slowly decreasing. On average, families have more than two children.

• Decreasing Death Rates: Thanks to better healthcare, cleaner living conditions, and improved nutrition, fewer people in India are dying at a young age. People are living longer.

• Growing Population: The combination of lots of babies being born and fewer people dying young has caused India's population to grow significantly. It's now one of the world's most populous countries.

• Urbanization: More and more people are leaving rural areas and moving to cities, seeking better job opportunities. This migration from the countryside to urban areas is happening because of changes in the job market.

• Family Changes: Indian families are getting smaller. Instead of large extended families, more families now consist of just parents and their children, which is typical in Stage 3 and Stage 4 of the DTM.

Epidemiological Transition Model (ETM) Stage for India: India is moving from Stage 2 to Stage 3 of the ETM.

Characteristics of this stage:

• Infectious Diseases: India still has many infectious diseases, but healthcare is getting better, and disease control programs are improving, which means fewer people are getting sick from these diseases.

• Chronic Diseases: Diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are becoming more common, especially in cities. These diseases are linked to lifestyle choices like diet and exercise and are typical of Stage 3 of the ETM.

• Better Healthcare: Access to healthcare services has improved. Vaccination programs and efforts to improve the health of mothers and children have reduced the number of people dying from infectious diseases.