Stage 2 of the demographic transition demonstrates which of the following?

Stage 2 of the demographic transition model is characterized by a significant drop in mortality rates while fertility rates remain high. This phenomenon is often attributed to improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition, which contribute to better overall health outcomes and a lower incidence of death, particularly among infants and children. The high fertility rates during this stage persist due to cultural, social, and economic factors, as families continue to have many children, often in anticipation of higher childhood mortality rates.

This stage marks a critical point in demographic transition where the population begins to grow rapidly, as the gap between birth and death rates widens. This contrasts with other stages where shifts in fertility or mortality rates take on different patterns—such as a decline in fertility rates in later stages as families adapt socially and economically to smaller family sizes. Hence, Stage 2 is distinctly noted for its combination of a decline in mortality with sustained high fertility, leading to population growth.