The Demographic Transition

• Introduction: the "theory" of demographic transition - its conciseness, diversity and flexibility - problems, methods and the field of enquiry. Part 1 Stages of demographic transition: demographic transition - the current position; the decline in mortality; the fertility decline; divergence and concordance; the migration transition; the notion of the cycle in demography - is post-transition fertility cyclical? Part 2 Forms of demographic transition: the types of demographic transition; chronology and typology of the ageing of populations; the transitional multiplier of population; industrial revolution and demographic revolution in the 18th century - the French-English paradox; European transitions from Malthus to Pincus; contemporary transitions - the strength of the model; revolution of mental attitudes and demographic revolution. Part 3 Economic implications of demographic transition: economic stagnation and neo-Malthusianism - two falsely opposed models; economic progress and demographic transition in poor countries - 30 years of experience, 1950-1980; secular growth in the industrial world; economic breakthrough in poor countries. Appendices: Crude birth-rates; total fertility rates; crude death-rates; infant mortality rates; real product.

`elegantly translated by Elizabeth and Philip Kreager ... the verdict on The Demographic Transition must be that it is an impressive landmark on the road to an uncertain destination ... Chesnais' Demographic Transition is an impressive achievement which will form an invaluable work of reference'John Landers, Times Literary Supplement