diff --git a/changelog.d/perf-fast-cache.changed.md b/changelog.d/perf-fast-cache.changed.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d5db5557
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/perf-fast-cache.changed.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Optimize simulation calculate with fast cache and vectorial parameter lookups.
diff --git a/policyengine_core/parameters/parameter_node_at_instant.py b/policyengine_core/parameters/parameter_node_at_instant.py
index 343e152d..b55889eb 100644
--- a/policyengine_core/parameters/parameter_node_at_instant.py
+++ b/policyengine_core/parameters/parameter_node_at_instant.py
@@ -57,7 +57,17 @@ def __getitem__(
         if hasattr(key, "__array__") and not isinstance(key, numpy.ndarray):
             key = numpy.asarray(key)
         if isinstance(key, numpy.ndarray):
-            return parameters.VectorialParameterNodeAtInstant.build_from_node(self)[key]
+            # Cache the vectorial node to avoid rebuilding the recarray on
+            # every call -- build_from_node is expensive (walks the full
+            # parameter subtree each time).
+            try:
+                vectorial = self._vectorial_node
+            except AttributeError:
+                vectorial = parameters.VectorialParameterNodeAtInstant.build_from_node(
+                    self
+                )
+                self._vectorial_node = vectorial
+            return vectorial[key]
         return self._children[key]
 
     def __iter__(self) -> Iterable:
diff --git a/policyengine_core/parameters/vectorial_parameter_node_at_instant.py b/policyengine_core/parameters/vectorial_parameter_node_at_instant.py
index 514b1714..6a49b5ba 100644
--- a/policyengine_core/parameters/vectorial_parameter_node_at_instant.py
+++ b/policyengine_core/parameters/vectorial_parameter_node_at_instant.py
@@ -181,84 +181,217 @@ def __getitem__(self, key: str) -> Any:
             return self.__getattr__(key)
         # If the key is a vector, e.g. ['zone_1', 'zone_2', 'zone_1']
         # Convert pandas arrays (e.g., StringArray from pandas 3) to numpy
+        # before checking, since StringArray has __array__ but is not hashable
         if hasattr(key, "__array__") and not isinstance(key, numpy.ndarray):
             key = numpy.asarray(key)
         if isinstance(key, numpy.ndarray):
-            if not numpy.issubdtype(key.dtype, numpy.str_):
-                # In case the key is not a string vector, stringify it
-                if key.dtype == object and issubclass(type(key[0]), Enum):
-                    enum = type(key[0])
-                    key = numpy.select(
-                        [key == item for item in enum],
-                        [str(item.name) for item in enum],
-                        default="unknown",
-                    )
-                elif isinstance(key, EnumArray):
-                    enum = key.possible_values
-                    key = numpy.select(
-                        [key == item.index for item in enum],
-                        [item.name for item in enum],
-                        default="unknown",
-                    )
-                else:
+            names = self.dtype.names
+            # Build name->child-index mapping (cached on instance)
+            if not hasattr(self, "_name_to_child_idx"):
+                self._name_to_child_idx = {name: i for i, name in enumerate(names)}
+
+            name_to_child_idx = self._name_to_child_idx
+            n = len(key)
+            SENTINEL = len(names)
+
+            # Convert key to integer indices directly, avoiding
+            # expensive intermediate string arrays where possible.
+            if isinstance(key, EnumArray):
+                # EnumArray: map enum int codes -> child indices via
+                # a pre-built lookup table (O(N), no string comparison).
+                enum = key.possible_values
+                cache_key = id(enum)
+                if not hasattr(self, "_enum_lut_cache"):
+                    self._enum_lut_cache = {}
+                lut = self._enum_lut_cache.get(cache_key)
+                if lut is None:
+                    enum_items = list(enum)
+                    max_code = max(item.index for item in enum_items) + 1
+                    lut = numpy.full(max_code, SENTINEL, dtype=numpy.intp)
+                    for item in enum_items:
+                        child_idx = name_to_child_idx.get(item.name)
+                        if child_idx is not None:
+                            lut[item.index] = child_idx
+                    self._enum_lut_cache[cache_key] = lut
+                idx = lut[numpy.asarray(key)]
+            elif (
+                key.dtype == object and len(key) > 0 and issubclass(type(key[0]), Enum)
+            ):
+                # Object array of Enum instances
+                enum = type(key[0])
+                cache_key = id(enum)
+                if not hasattr(self, "_enum_lut_cache"):
+                    self._enum_lut_cache = {}
+                lut = self._enum_lut_cache.get(cache_key)
+                if lut is None:
+                    enum_items = list(enum)
+                    max_code = max(item.index for item in enum_items) + 1
+                    lut = numpy.full(max_code, SENTINEL, dtype=numpy.intp)
+                    for item in enum_items:
+                        child_idx = name_to_child_idx.get(str(item.name))
+                        if child_idx is not None:
+                            lut[item.index] = child_idx
+                    self._enum_lut_cache[cache_key] = lut
+                codes = numpy.array([v.index for v in key], dtype=numpy.intp)
+                idx = lut[codes]
+            else:
+                # String keys: map via dict lookup
+                if not numpy.issubdtype(key.dtype, numpy.str_):
                     key = key.astype("str")
-            names = list(
-                self.dtype.names
-            )  # Get all the names of the subnodes, e.g. ['zone_1', 'zone_2']
-            conditions = [key == name for name in names]
+                # Vectorised dict lookup using numpy unique + scatter
+                uniq, inverse = numpy.unique(key, return_inverse=True)
+                uniq_idx = numpy.array(
+                    [name_to_child_idx.get(u, SENTINEL) for u in uniq],
+                    dtype=numpy.intp,
+                )
+                idx = uniq_idx[inverse]
+
+            # Gather values by child index using take on a stacked array.
             values = [self.vector[name] for name in names]
 
-            # NumPy 2.x requires all arrays in numpy.select to have identical dtypes
-            # For structured arrays with different field sets, we need to normalize them
-            if (
+            is_structured = (
                 len(values) > 0
                 and hasattr(values[0].dtype, "names")
                 and values[0].dtype.names
-            ):
-                # Check if all values have the same dtype
+            )
+
+            if is_structured:
                 dtypes_match = all(val.dtype == values[0].dtype for val in values)
+                v0_len = len(values[0])
+
+                if v0_len <= 1:
+                    # 1-element structured arrays: simple concat + index
+                    if not dtypes_match:
+                        all_fields = []
+                        seen = set()
+                        for val in values:
+                            for field in val.dtype.names:
+                                if field not in seen:
+                                    all_fields.append(field)
+                                    seen.add(field)
 
-                if not dtypes_match:
-                    # Find the union of all field names across all values, preserving first seen order
-                    all_fields = []
-                    seen = set()
-                    for val in values:
-                        for field in val.dtype.names:
-                            if field not in seen:
-                                all_fields.append(field)
-                                seen.add(field)
-
-                    # Create unified dtype with all fields
-                    unified_dtype = numpy.dtype([(f, "<f8") for f in all_fields])
-
-                    # Cast all values to unified dtype
-                    values_cast = []
-                    for val in values:
-                        casted = numpy.zeros(len(val), dtype=unified_dtype)
-                        for field in val.dtype.names:
-                            casted[field] = val[field]
-                        values_cast.append(casted)
-
-                    default = numpy.zeros(len(values_cast[0]), dtype=unified_dtype)
-                    # Fill with NaN
-                    for field in unified_dtype.names:
-                        default[field] = numpy.nan
-
-                    result = numpy.select(conditions, values_cast, default)
+                        unified_dtype = numpy.dtype([(f, "<f8") for f in all_fields])
+
+                        values_cast = []
+                        for val in values:
+                            casted = numpy.zeros(len(val), dtype=unified_dtype)
+                            for field in val.dtype.names:
+                                casted[field] = val[field]
+                            values_cast.append(casted)
+
+                        default = numpy.zeros(1, dtype=unified_dtype)
+                        for field in unified_dtype.names:
+                            default[field] = numpy.nan
+                        stacked = numpy.concatenate(values_cast + [default])
+                        result = stacked[idx]
+                    else:
+                        default = numpy.full(1, numpy.nan, dtype=values[0].dtype)
+                        stacked = numpy.concatenate(values + [default])
+                        result = stacked[idx]
                 else:
-                    # All dtypes match, use original logic
-                    default = numpy.full_like(values[0], numpy.nan)
-                    result = numpy.select(conditions, values, default)
+                    # N-element structured arrays: check if fields are
+                    # simple scalars (fast path) or nested records
+                    # (fall back to numpy.select).
+                    first_field = values[0].dtype.names[0]
+                    field_dtype = values[0][first_field].dtype
+                    is_nested = (
+                        hasattr(field_dtype, "names") and field_dtype.names is not None
+                    )
+
+                    if is_nested:
+                        # Nested structured: fall back to numpy.select
+                        conditions = [idx == i for i in range(len(values))]
+                        if not dtypes_match:
+                            all_fields = []
+                            seen = set()
+                            for val in values:
+                                for field in val.dtype.names:
+                                    if field not in seen:
+                                        all_fields.append(field)
+                                        seen.add(field)
+                            unified_dtype = numpy.dtype(
+                                [(f, "<f8") for f in all_fields]
+                            )
+                            values_cast = []
+                            for val in values:
+                                casted = numpy.zeros(len(val), dtype=unified_dtype)
+                                for field in val.dtype.names:
+                                    casted[field] = val[field]
+                                values_cast.append(casted)
+                            default = numpy.zeros(v0_len, dtype=unified_dtype)
+                            for field in unified_dtype.names:
+                                default[field] = numpy.nan
+                            result = numpy.select(conditions, values_cast, default)
+                        else:
+                            default = numpy.full_like(values[0], numpy.nan)
+                            result = numpy.select(conditions, values, default)
+                    else:
+                        # Flat structured: fast per-field indexing
+                        if not dtypes_match:
+                            all_fields = []
+                            seen = set()
+                            for val in values:
+                                for field in val.dtype.names:
+                                    if field not in seen:
+                                        all_fields.append(field)
+                                        seen.add(field)
+                            unified_dtype = numpy.dtype(
+                                [(f, "<f8") for f in all_fields]
+                            )
+                            values_unified = []
+                            for val in values:
+                                casted = numpy.zeros(len(val), dtype=unified_dtype)
+                                for field in val.dtype.names:
+                                    casted[field] = val[field]
+                                values_unified.append(casted)
+                            field_names = all_fields
+                            result_dtype = unified_dtype
+                        else:
+                            values_unified = values
+                            field_names = values[0].dtype.names
+                            result_dtype = values[0].dtype
+
+                        result = numpy.empty(n, dtype=result_dtype)
+                        arange_n = numpy.arange(v0_len)
+                        for field in field_names:
+                            field_stack = numpy.empty(
+                                (len(values_unified) + 1, v0_len),
+                                dtype=numpy.float64,
+                            )
+                            for i, v in enumerate(values_unified):
+                                field_stack[i] = v[field]
+                            field_stack[-1] = numpy.nan
+                            result[field] = field_stack[idx, arange_n]
             else:
-                # Non-structured array case
-                default = numpy.full_like(
-                    values[0] if values else self.vector[key[0]], numpy.nan
-                )
-                result = numpy.select(conditions, values, default)
+                # Non-structured: values are either scalars (1-elem arrays)
+                # or N-element vectors (after prior vectorial indexing).
+                if values:
+                    v0 = numpy.asarray(values[0])
+                    if v0.ndim == 0 or v0.shape[0] <= 1:
+                        # Scalar per child: 1D lookup
+                        scalar_vals = numpy.empty(len(values) + 1, dtype=numpy.float64)
+                        for i, v in enumerate(values):
+                            scalar_vals[i] = float(numpy.asarray(v).flat[0])
+                        scalar_vals[-1] = numpy.nan
+                        result = scalar_vals[idx]
+                    else:
+                        # N-element vectors: stack into (K+1, N) matrix
+                        m = v0.shape[0]
+                        stacked = numpy.empty((len(values) + 1, m), dtype=numpy.float64)
+                        for i, v in enumerate(values):
+                            stacked[i] = v
+                        stacked[-1] = numpy.nan
+                        result = stacked[idx, numpy.arange(m)]
+                else:
+                    result = numpy.full(n, numpy.nan)
 
-            # Check for unexpected keys (NaN results from missing keys)
+            # Check for unexpected keys
             if helpers.contains_nan(result):
-                unexpected_keys = set(key).difference(self.vector.dtype.names)
+                unexpected_keys = set(
+                    numpy.asarray(key, dtype=str)
+                    if not numpy.issubdtype(numpy.asarray(key).dtype, numpy.str_)
+                    else key
+                ).difference(self.vector.dtype.names)
                 if unexpected_keys:
                     unexpected_key = unexpected_keys.pop()
                     raise ParameterNotFoundError(
diff --git a/policyengine_core/simulations/simulation.py b/policyengine_core/simulations/simulation.py
index 8f79c3b7..b41f2fcb 100644
--- a/policyengine_core/simulations/simulation.py
+++ b/policyengine_core/simulations/simulation.py
@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.is_over_dataset = dataset is not None
 
         self.invalidated_caches = set()
+        self._fast_cache: dict = {}
         self.debug: bool = False
         self.trace: bool = trace
         self.tracer: SimpleTracer = SimpleTracer() if not trace else FullTracer()
@@ -448,6 +449,17 @@ def calculate(
         elif period is None and self.default_calculation_period is not None:
             period = periods.period(self.default_calculation_period)
 
+        # Fast path: skip tracer, random seed and all _calculate() machinery for
+        # already-computed values. map_to and decode_enums are NOT cached here —
+        # they are post-processing steps that vary per call site.
+        if map_to is None and not decode_enums and not getattr(self, "_trace", False):
+            _fast_key = (variable_name, str(period))
+            _fast_cache = getattr(self, "_fast_cache", None)
+            if _fast_cache is not None:
+                _cached = _fast_cache.get(_fast_key)
+                if _cached is not None:
+                    return _cached
+
         self.tracer.record_calculation_start(variable_name, period, self.branch_name)
 
         np.random.seed(hash(variable_name + str(period)) % 1000000)
@@ -752,6 +764,9 @@ def _calculate(self, variable_name: str, period: Period = None) -> ArrayLike:
         if is_cache_available:
             smc.set_cache_value(cache_path, array)
 
+        if hasattr(self, "_fast_cache"):
+            self._fast_cache[(variable_name, str(period))] = array
+
         return array
 
     def purge_cache_of_invalid_values(self) -> None:
@@ -761,6 +776,7 @@ def purge_cache_of_invalid_values(self) -> None:
         for _name, _period in self.invalidated_caches:
             holder = self.get_holder(_name)
             holder.delete_arrays(_period)
+            self._fast_cache.pop((_name, str(_period)), None)
         self.invalidated_caches = set()
 
     def calculate_add(
@@ -1121,6 +1137,12 @@ def delete_arrays(self, variable: str, period: Period = None) -> None:
         True
         """
         self.get_holder(variable).delete_arrays(period)
+        if period is None:
+            self._fast_cache = {
+                k: v for k, v in self._fast_cache.items() if k[0] != variable
+            }
+        else:
+            self._fast_cache.pop((variable, str(period)), None)
 
     def get_known_periods(self, variable: str) -> List[Period]:
         """
@@ -1205,8 +1227,15 @@ def clone(
         new_dict = new.__dict__
 
         for key, value in self.__dict__.items():
-            if key not in ("debug", "trace", "tracer", "branches"):
+            if key not in (
+                "debug",
+                "trace",
+                "tracer",
+                "branches",
+                "_fast_cache",
+            ):
                 new_dict[key] = value
+        new._fast_cache = {}
 
         new.persons = self.persons.clone(new)
         setattr(new, new.persons.entity.key, new.persons)