Need for and approaches to integrated population, human resource and development planning

The authors discuss the nature of an integrated approach to the treatment of population variables in the socioeconomic planning exercises of developing countries and describe the obstacles that must be overcome in order to achieve meaningful integration. The nature of the system linking demographic and socioeconomic processes is described, and a distinction is made between the roles of population-influencing and population-responsive policies. The types of studies needed to provide an effective analytical framework for integrated population and development planning are set forth and discussed in ascending order, from inventories of demographic and related socioeconomic data to demographic/economic planning models. The need for establishing some form of a population planning unit within the governmental structure is assessed, and the functions which might be undertaken by such a unit are described. Finally, a classification scheme is proposed which would divide countries into broad categories according to their major characteristics and problems, and a scheme for providing each type of country with technical assistance in population and development planning is proposed. In their concluding remarks, the authors note there is a need to promote a transition from simple awareness of the interrelationships and then to integrated planning. This transition, they maintain, will require a continuous and cumulative commitment of countries and an effective co-ordination and collaboration among the agencies which provide technical assistance in this field.