Which one of the following is not a typical demographic characteristic of the population of a developed country?

Introduction / Context:
Demography is the study of population characteristics such as birth rate, death rate, growth rate, urbanisation, literacy, and life expectancy. Developed and developing countries usually show very different demographic profiles. General knowledge and economics examinations often ask which features best describe a developed country. This question reverses the pattern and asks which feature is not characteristic of a developed country, so the learner has to identify the one option that does not fit the typical profile.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Developed countries usually have advanced economies, high incomes, and strong social indicators.
• Typical demographic features of developed countries include low birth rates, low death rates, high urbanisation, and low population growth.
• The options mix such features with a contrasting pattern of high birth and high death rates.
• The task is to locate the single feature that does not match the usual demographic profile of a developed country.

Concept / Approach:
In demographic transition theory, developed countries are in the later stages where both birth rates and death rates are low, and population growth is either very slow or almost stable. They also tend to have a high proportion of people living in urban areas, high literacy, and long life expectancy. High birth and high death rates together are typical of an early, pre industrial stage found in least developed economies. Therefore the correct approach is to identify that high birth rate and high death rate is the only option that goes against the defining pattern of developed countries.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that developed countries usually have low birth rates because of better education, access to family planning, and changing social norms.Step 2: Recall that they also have low death rates due to better medical care, nutrition, and public health systems.Step 3: Note that these countries are highly urbanised and show low overall population growth.Step 4: Look at the options and recognise that options a, c, d, and e all describe low birth and death rates, high urbanisation, and high literacy or life expectancy, which are consistent with developed countries.Step 5: Identify that high birth rate and high death rate in option b describes a very different situation and is therefore not characteristic of a developed country.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard geography and economics textbooks explain that the demographic transition in developed countries has passed through stages from high birth and high death rates to low birth and low death rates. In the final stage, population growth stabilises and indicators like literacy, urbanisation, and life expectancy improve significantly. By comparing this description with the options, we clearly see that high birth and high death rates belong to an early stage of development, not to the final developed stage. This confirms that option b is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Low birth and low death rates in option a are typical of developed countries. A high proportion of urban population in option c is also a hallmark of advanced economies. Low growth rate of population in option d fits the later stages of demographic transition. High level of literacy and life expectancy in option e are also standard indicators of development. Therefore, all of these are characteristics of developed countries and do not answer the question asking which feature is not characteristic.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may misunderstand the question and look for a characteristic rather than an exception, forgetting that the question uses the word not. Others may confuse high birth rate with population growth in developing countries and misinterpret the context. To avoid such mistakes, it is important to read the question carefully and connect it with the demographic transition model, which clearly distinguishes high birth and death rates as features of underdeveloped economies.

Final Answer:
High birth rate and high death rate is not a characteristic of the population of a developed country.