What term refers to the shift from high birthrates and death rates to lower rates?

The term that refers to the shift from high birthrates and death rates to lower rates is demographic transition. This concept describes a key sociological process that countries undergo as they develop economically and socially over time. Initially, in agrarian societies, both birthrates and death rates tend to be high due to a lack of medical knowledge, high infant mortality, and the need for larger families to ensure survival.

As societies progress, advancements in healthcare, education, and economic conditions lead to a decline in death rates first—often caused by improvements in nutrition, sanitation, and medical care. Following this, birthrates also begin to decline as families adapt to new social and economic realities, choosing to have fewer children.

The demographic transition model illustrates these changes through several stages, enabling sociologists and demographers to understand population dynamics and the implications for social structure and policy. This phenomenon is often observed in various regions as they move from pre-industrial to industrial and post-industrial stages.

The other terms in the question are not directly related to this specific population change. Death rate refers only to mortality, deindustrialization pertains to the decline of industrial activity in an area, and culture shock involves the feelings of disorientation experienced when encountering a vastly different culture.