Iceland - Stage 4
Iceland is in Stage 4 of the demographic transition model due to a low (0.9%) natural increase, decreasing birth rate (15), and low death rate (6). The population pyramid shows a large base from 0-54 yrs. and a small pyramid at the top that is wide for 55-100+ yrs. and by 2050 it is projected to begin to closely resemble the elusive Stage 5 of the model types. They have a very high life expectancy average (82) which is higher than Americas life expectancy which show how educated the population is and how widespread health and medical options are. Because of the education and healthcare for both men and women the fertility rate is at a low 2.2 which still sees growth but at a much slower rate. Disease and undernourishment is not prevalent, food and water resources are abundant, education is at a very high percentage (over 100% for men and women at the secondary education level), a large section of both genders are economically active, and almost half of the legislature are woman leading to a very prosperous and highly developing nation as well as the most developed of the four.