What term refers to a balance between births and deaths in a population?

The term that best describes the balance between births and deaths in a population is zero population growth. This occurs when the number of births in a population equals the number of deaths, resulting in no net increase in population size over time. In this scenario, the population remains stable, as each individual born is replaced by one individual dying.

This concept is crucial in understanding population dynamics and sustainability. It indicates a state where the population levels off and does not grow or decline, which is particularly significant in discussions of environmental impacts and resource management. Under zero population growth, resources can be managed more effectively since the strain on the environment remains consistent, without the pressures that come from an increasing population.

Other terms provided, like population stabilization or dynamic equilibrium, may suggest stability but do not explicitly define the precise balance of births and deaths as zero population growth does. Population decline refers specifically to a situation in which the number of deaths exceeds the number of births, leading to a decreasing population size, which contrasts with the concept of zero population growth.