The limiting properties of population distributions with particular application to manpower planning

Abstract

A model for predicting expected-value population distributions is developed, assuming that all movements are Markovian and time-homogeneous. Each individual is classified by the amount of time he has spent in the population and by which of a number of classes, of an unspecified nature, he inhabits. The limiting properties of the population distribution are derived, and, in particular, conditions for convergence to a stable distribution are given.Some discussion of the relevance of the theory to practical applications is given, primarily to manpower planning when recruitment occurs purely to maintain a specified overall population size.