Abstract
In this paper we present an agent-based model of the dynamics
of mortality, fertility, and partnership formation in a closed population.
One of our goals is to bridge the methodological and conceptual gaps
that remain between demography and agent-based social simulation approaches.
Model construction incorporates elements of both perspectives,
with demography contributing empirical data on population dynamics,
subsequently embedded in an agent-based model situated on a 2D grid
space. While taking inspiration from previous work applying agent-based
simulation methodologies to demography, we extend this basic concept
to a complete model of population change, which includes spatial elements
as well as additional agent properties. Given the connection to
empirical work based on demographic data for the United Kingdom, this
model allows us to analyse population dynamics on several levels, from
the individual, to the household, and to the whole simulated population.
We propose that such an approach bolsters the strength of demographic
analysis, adding additional explanatory power.
of mortality, fertility, and partnership formation in a closed population.
One of our goals is to bridge the methodological and conceptual gaps
that remain between demography and agent-based social simulation approaches.
Model construction incorporates elements of both perspectives,
with demography contributing empirical data on population dynamics,
subsequently embedded in an agent-based model situated on a 2D grid
space. While taking inspiration from previous work applying agent-based
simulation methodologies to demography, we extend this basic concept
to a complete model of population change, which includes spatial elements
as well as additional agent properties. Given the connection to
empirical work based on demographic data for the United Kingdom, this
model allows us to analyse population dynamics on several levels, from
the individual, to the household, and to the whole simulated population.
We propose that such an approach bolsters the strength of demographic
analysis, adding additional explanatory power.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Advances in Computational Social Science: The Fourth World Congress (Agent-Based Social Systems) |
| Publisher | Springer Japan |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9784431548461 |
| Publication status | Published - 18 Apr 2014 |