Which term describes a population trend where births exceed deaths, leading to growth?

Which term describes a population trend where births exceed deaths, leading to growth?

• A. Expansive
• B. Population
• C. Natural Increase Rate
• D. Boom and Bust Towns

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is how population grows when more people are born than die, which is called natural increase. The natural increase rate specifically measures this difference as a rate (births minus deaths per 1,000 people per year). When births exceed deaths, the natural increase rate is positive, signaling population growth from within the population rather than from people moving in or out. That makes it the best description for a trend driven by births outpacing deaths. Expansive describes a growing population in broad terms but isn’t the precise measurement of the birth–death balance. Population is just a general term for the number of people, not the mechanism of growth. Boom and bust towns refer to economic cycles affecting population size, not the demographic balance of births and deaths.

The concept being tested is how population grows when more people are born than die, which is called natural increase. The natural increase rate specifically measures this difference as a rate (births minus deaths per 1,000 people per year). When births exceed deaths, the natural increase rate is positive, signaling population growth from within the population rather than from people moving in or out. That makes it the best description for a trend driven by births outpacing deaths.

Expansive describes a growing population in broad terms but isn’t the precise measurement of the birth–death balance. Population is just a general term for the number of people, not the mechanism of growth. Boom and bust towns refer to economic cycles affecting population size, not the demographic balance of births and deaths.