Information on developed countries

In developed countries like the UK both birth rates and death rates are low.

Birth rates are low because:

• Women's status has improved.
• Contraception and family planning is more readily available.
• Careers are more important than having a family.
• The cost of raising a family has increased.
• People marry later, so less opportunity to have large families.
• Increased desire for material possessions, eg cars and holidays instead of children.

Death rates are low because of:

• Advances in modern medicine.
• Vaccinations against disease, eg measles.
• Improvements in water and sanitation.
• Enhanced food production and storage.
• Better transport for food.
• Lower infant death rates.

The population in the developed world is therefore fairly stable and neither rising nor falling significantly.