In which stage of the Demographic Transition Model is the birth rate typically highest?

In the Demographic Transition Model, the birth rate is typically highest in Stage 2. This stage represents countries that are experiencing improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition, which lead to lower death rates. Because families still tend to have many children during this time, the population grows rapidly. For example, in many sub-Saharan African countries, you can see high birth rates as families have more children to ensure some survive to adulthood. Overall, this stage is marked by a significant gap between the high birth rate and the declining death rate, resulting in a booming population.