POPULATION DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Country selection will be based on the availablity of a qualified technician (B.S.-level training in economics, demography, or statistics) who is involved in national development planning and on the project"s potential influence on the planning process. RTI and its subcontractors will instruct planners in the use of four analytical techniques: consequences analysis (to determine the advantageous impact of slowed population growth on sectors of the economy by measuring demographically sensitive aggregates, such as employment and capital needs); trade-off analysis (to compare the cost of measures to slow population growth with the gains of decreased demand for government services); population impact analysis (to investigate the impact of various population growth rates on migration, fertility, and mortality as well as on the national development budget; and cost-effectiveness studies (to compare the efficiency of direct interventions to lower fertility, such as family planning programs, versus other actions to promote decreased fertility). Country-specific action plans will be designed in consultation with host country and USAID officials. Host governments and other local institutions will conduct studies and follow-up seminars, compile existing relevant data, and assist in all aspects of project implementation. Existing economic/demographic computer models will be adapted to meet each country"s needs. On-the-job training will be provided in demographic and macroeconomic modeling and in cost-effectiveness analysis. Planning technicians will receive U.S. or third country training. Project results will be packaged and disseminated in slide presentations to high ranking U.S. and LDC officials, in seminars for senior policy makers, in workshops for junior technicians, and through publication of books and articles.