title: Optimal population control with uncertain output.
abstract: "This note has shown how the techniques of stochastic control theory can be used to analyze the impact of uncertainty about non-labour inputs on optimal population control expenditure.  While we have chosen very simple structure, it has allowed us to isolate the channels through which uncertainty affects the optimal plan, in this case causing expected expenditure on control to rise more slowly or fall more rapidly than its deterministic counterpart.  Given the long-term implications of changes in population growth at any instant, and the stochastic nature of the environment in which control decisions are made, it is likely that useful insights could be obtained by extending the stochastic control approach to more complicated population control structures."
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D003710:Demography; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011153:Population; D011155:Population Control; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011640:Public Policy; D012106:Research; D012942:Social Sciences
keywords: Demographic Factors; Demography; Mathematical Model; Models, Theoretical; Optimum Population; Policy; Population; Population Control; Population Dynamics; Population Policy; Population Size; Population Theory; Research Methodology; Social Policy; Social Sciences; World