This transition to a new life history pattern is not the result
of one specific culture or "Westernization". The demographic
transition is directly the result of socioeconomic development
and industrialization. In the beginning of the 21st
century, the first regions of the world to industrialize have
already completed the demographic transition (e.g. Europe,
Northern America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, etc.).
Many newly developed countries in East Asia have also
completed (or are nearing completion) of their demographic
transition. Furthermore, much of Asia, Latin America,
and most recently, Africa, have experienced the beginnings
and maturation of the demographic transition. Many
experts expect the full realization of the demographic transition
to manifest globally by the year 2050, as long as current
socioeconomic industrialization trends continue. As far
as the developed world is concerned, the two trends associated
with the demographic transition are expected to continue
accelerating (i.e. reduction of fertility and mortality) as
improvements in socioeconomic conditions only serve to
intensify these processes.