There are four types of controls:
Run the simulation forward or backward.
List and select general options relating to a simulation, such as picking a country, or starting another simulation.
Change the value of Total Fertility Rate, Life Expectancy, and Migration Rate.
Change the size of a particular age group.
The following describes each in more detail:
Two 'Sim' buttons control the direction of the simulation. The 'Sim' buttons are on the lower right side of both simulation windows.
Each time you press a 'Sim' button, the population pyramid, population graph, and the current total population values will be updated.
If you keep the mouse button pressed, many simulation steps will be executed. The longer you hold the button, the faster the simulation will go.
Hint: Run the first simulation for each country without making any changes. Then you can compare your changes in other simulation runs to this baseline population projection.
Pressing the 'Options' button brings up a menu list with the following items
See the 'Options Help' menu item under the 'Help' button for more information.
There are three main parameters which affect the population projection:
The values of these parameters are shown at the bottom of the simulation window. You can adjust any of them by pressing the blue button that has the name of the value.
This brings up an adjustment window. On the left are '+' and '-' buttons. Press them to increase or decrease the value of the parameter. Press 'Done' to finish making adjustments.
There are also '+' and '-' buttons on the right. These change the year by which your new value is to take affect. The value will change gradually to reach the new value in the year that you specified.
When you change the Total Fertility rate or Life Expectancy, the Birth or Death rate values for each cohort (age group) are also changed. The Total Fertility rate or Life Expectancy are distributed among the cohorts.
Another way to change the Total Fertility and Life Expectancy is to change the Birth and Death Rates of specific cohorts. To do that, you must press 'Options,' then press 'View birth and death rates.' Now '+' and '-' buttons will appear next to each cohort. Press them to raise or lower the values.
When you change the birth rate in a cohort, the Total Fertility rate is updated to include your change. Likewise, if you change the death rate of a cohort, the Life Expectancy value will reflect your changes.
After each simulation step, you may make additional demographic changes.
At any time you may adjust the population of a particular cohort. You may only shorten the size of a cohort, but not lengthen one.
Move the arrow inside the population pyramid to the cohort bar you wish to change. Press and hold the left mouse button. The bar will move in and out with the arrow as you move the mouse on your desk. Release the mouse button when the bar is at the position you want.