Demographic Transition in Canada

            The demographic transition is a model which shows the progression of birth and death rate in a population as it matures from primitive to modern. It is a generalized interpretation of what has been observed around the world and, although every country does not fit the pattern perfectly, most follow the general trend. All countries experience first a sharp drop in the death and infant mortality rates, and then undergo a period of rapid population growth. Later, countries enter a time of gradual decline in birth rates. Developed countries have moved through the transition to phase 4 or 5, but most developing countries remain in either phase 2 or 3. This activity will allow you to investigate some specific aspects of the transition.

1. Use the data in Table 1 to construct a line graph of the birth and death rate versus time. Put them both on the same graph.

Table 1 Demographic Transition: Canada

Table 2 Population of Canada from 1870-2000

 2. Using the data in Table 2, calculate the percent increase for each time period. Show your work. This can be calculated by:

pop. at new time - pop. at old time

       population at old time

Construct a graph showing the percent increase versus each time period.

3. What can you say about the trend over time of birth and death rate in Canada? Which phase of the demographic transition do the data suggest we are in?

4. From your second graph, what can you say about the rate of growth of the Canadian population over time? Is this typical of developed countries?