The program mdl allows you to run a simple model of human population based on input parameters. The results of mdl allow you to match the totals published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census and used by popclk.
For instance, mdl allows you to make tradeoffs between life expectancy, the total number of children per female, the fertility period of the female, the mortality rates during different stages of life, the mortality rate of the mother during childbirth, and the rate at which old age accelerates.
mdl <mdl.cfg 2>mdl.err | less
In this example:
max_years = 100
max_age = 80
starting_pop = 1000000000
first_cb_age = 18
last_cb_age = 40
children = 6.0
max_attrition = 0.05
min_attrition = 0.01
cb_attrition = 0.01
old_age_attrition = 0.03
end
Integer.
The number of years to run the model.
Range: 1 - 999999999
Integer.
Life expectancy.
Range: 1 - 120
Integer.
World population at the beginning of the model.
Range: 1 - 1000000000
Integer.
The earliest age when a female gives birth.
Range: 8 - 40
Integer.
The last age when a female gives birth.
Range: 8 - 40
Real number.
The average number of children per female.
Range: 0.0000000001 - 25.0
Real number.
The maximum mortality rate at birth and during old age.
Range: 0.0000000001 - 0.999999999
Real number.
The minimum mortality rate at the midpoint of life.
Range: 0.0000000001 - 0.999999999
Real number.
The mortality rate of the mother during childbirth.
Range: 0.0000000001 - 0.999999999
Real number.
Compounded mortality rate of a male or female who has exceeded life expectancy.
Range: 0.0000000001 - 0.999999999
No data.
The end of the configuration file.
Parse error occurs when
The population model assumes a population lacking sophisticated medical care. The childbirth mortality rate assumes a lack of adequate medical care.
Maximum and minimum attrition assumes a peaceful environment. The highest mortality rate occurs due to natural cause of death at the youngest and oldest stage of life.