Stage 2 Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Countries 2025

High birth rates and decreasing death rates characterize countries in stage 2 of the Demographic Transition Model (DTM). Stage two is a transitional stage in which a country has moved beyond the pre-industrial stage (stage 1) and is beginning to transition into an industrialized nation. The death rate slows but the birth rate remains high, which results in a rapid natural increase (NI) of the population. Many of the world’s least-developed countries are in stage two. Up to the 8th Century, all countries were within stage one.

Characteristics of Stage Two Countries

• High birth rates
• Decreasing death rates
• Rapidly rising population
• Low development

Stage Two countries are most common in Africa and the Middle East.

What is the DTM System?

The Demographic Transition Model, commonly abbreviated as DTM, is a social/economic model that tracks and quantifies the stages of a country’s progression from undeveloped (pre-industrial) to fully developed (post-industrial). The DTM enables social scientists to better monitor and anticipate a country’s quality of life, level of technological achievement, and population growth or decline.

The Demographic Transition model is made up of five different stages, ranked 1 (least developed) to 5 (fully developed), which can often be identified by tracking changes in birth rate and death rates among the country’s population (both of which decline at different times as a country progresses). DTM data can be used to predict geographical population trends, track changing social and economic trends, and better anticipate the needs of countries and their populations.