8.1.11 (HL)—DTM pattern analysis

A DTM comparison uses birth and death rates and age structure to describe a pattern, then uses historical, cultural, religious, economic, social and political evidence to explain it.

Evidence	Niger	Japan
Population structure	broad-based youthful pyramid and high youthful dependency	narrow base, long life expectancy and ageing population
Development context	limited sanitation, healthcare and female educational access contribute to high mortality and fertility pressures	near-universal education, clean-water access and health insurance support low mortality and smaller families
DTM interpretation	expanding pattern with a large birth–death gap	low-growth or declining pattern with births near or below deaths
Policy priority	maternal/child health, education and livelihood access	ageing care, pensions, workforce and possible migration responses

Compare change at least 30 years into the past, the present and at least 30 years ahead; the DTM organizes the rate pattern but does not make development a single cause.

A stage label is not a value judgement or complete causal explanation; verify country evidence, projections and historical path.