Some innovative methods in demographic analysis.

Abstract

"This paper suggests the use of the Matusita affinity and distance measures for the relative ranking of human populations and for developing an age distribution free index of demographic phenomena. A plea for modifying the conventional parity progression rates through semi-Markov analysis is made. The input-output model, the notion of entropy, etc., are suggested as new tools for looking at demographic events." Some illustrations based on Canadian and U.S. data concerning family planning attitudes, mortality, migration, and stable populations are included.