New frontiers in microsimulation modelling

AUTHORS

A. Harding, P. Williamson

PUBLICATION YEAR

2009

CITATION

Zaidi, A., Harding, A. & Williamson, P. (Eds.) (2009). New Frontiers in Microsimulation Modelling, Public Policy and Social Welfare 36. Farnham (UK): Ashgate.

DESCRIPTION

During the past 15 years microsimulation models have become firmly established as vital tools for analysis of the distributional impact of changes in government programmes. Across Europe, the US, Canada and Australia, microsimulation models are used extensively to assess who are the winners and losers from proposed policy reforms. Encouraged by the ever-increasing complexity of social and economic programmes, microsimulation models have become an essential part of the policy reform process, allowing identification of the magnitude of gains and losses from policy changes in such areas as taxation, social security, pensions and social services.

While the analysis of the distributional impact of tax and cash transfer changes in developed countries has for some decades been the “bread and butter” of microsimulation modelling, microsimulation is now expanding into new frontiers. These include geographic expansion (into African countries and the countries of the former Soviet Union); subject area expansion (embracing such new topics as small area analysis, health care and child care); and breakthroughs in the technology associated with microsimulation (such as in behavioural and labour supply modelling).

This volume contains selected papers from the 1st General Conference of the International Microsimulation Association, hosted by the European Centre Vienna in August 2007. As well as providing a useful introduction to the state of microsimulation internationally today, it contains a wide range of chapters illustrating the new applications and approaches being used across the world.

This book will be of relevance to government policy-makers, social policy planners, economists and those concerned with predicting the impact of public policy change. For those who live in countries that have already developed a sophisticated microsimulation modelling infrastructure, the volume will provide a highly relevant guide to the path-breaking directions being taken at the frontiers of this discipline. For researchers and policy-makers living in countries that have not yet developed microsimulation models, the volume will provide insights into the questions that can be addressed using these types of models.

International Microsimulation Association

NATSEM, University of Canberra