First published in 1992,
Assessing the Demographic Impact of Development Projects
based on studies in developing countries focuses on conceptual, methodological and policy issues related to development projects. It considers whether demographic effects can be assessed and why development planners should be interested in such an assessment. A.S. Oberai examines the extent to which economic and social changes generated by specific development interventions have influenced demographic behaviour in a particular context. He suggests how desired effects can be enhanced and undesired effects minimized by policy makers and planners in developing countries in order to deal with problems of population growth and its distribution. The major shortcomings of existing methodologies are identified, and the author indicates the future direction which research might take in order to be more scientifically valid and useful to policy makers. This book is a must read for scholars and researchers of development studies, political economy and labour economy.