Population - resource dynamics in an Indian village

Abstract

The paper presents a simulation model of population dynamics in an Indian village and discusses its usefulness to a policy maker concerned with the economic and social development of such a village. The model contains some of the elements and interrelations which seem to have significant impact on the determinants of population dynamics, namely, births, deaths and migrations. The model is then used as a tool, instead of a real village, to test different development policies for their impact on the village s population growth and economic condition over time. The policies such as health services, education, and family planning are introduced in the model to ascertain their effect on the balance of births, deaths and migration. No attempt is made to optimize the outcome of any policy. Preference for one outcome over another is left to the values and objectives of the user of the model.