The Econometric SocietyEdited by: Guido W. Imbens • Print ISSN: 0012-9682 • Online ISSN: 1468-0262
Econometrica: Jul, 1961, Volume 29, Issue 3
https://doi.org/0012-9682(196107)29:3<336:EIVAEC>2.0.CO;2-N
p. 336-362
Nissan Liviatan
The traditional method of estimating Engel curve parameters uses either (recorded) income or total expenditure as an independent variable in least squares analysis. Neither of these variables is, however, a satisfactory index of the true economic position of the family. This results in biased estimates of the income elasticities of the various consumption categories. The bias can, however, be eliminated in large samples by using both income and total expenditures in the estimation procedure. This can be accomplished by applying the method of "instrumental variables" to Engel curve analysis, with recorded income serving as the instrumental variable. Having formulated consistent estimation procedures, we use empirical data to investigate and analyze the direction and size of the biases in the traditional estimates of income elasticities of various commodity groups.
March 5, 2024
The terms of the Editors of the Econometric Society's three journals end June 30, 2025. We are pleased to announce the incoming Editors and to thank the outgoing Editors for their excellent and continuing service.
Econometrica: Since 2019, Guido Imbens has served as the 14th Editor of Econometrica. On July 1, 2025, Marina Halac will become the Editor.
Quantitative Economics: Stéphane Bonhomme has been the Editor of Quantitative Economics since 2021. His successor will be Bernard Salanié.
Theoretical Economics: The Editor of Theoretical Economics since 2021 has been Simon Board. Taking over for him in July 2025 will be Federico Echenique.
Guido, Stéphane, and Simon have been outstanding Editors. We are grateful to them for the work they have done and will continue to do, and we look forward to further congratulating them next year. We believe Marina, Bernard, and Federico will be outstanding successors and we thank them in advance for their service.
Finally, we are grateful to Larry Samuelson for chairing all three search committees, and we thank the search committee members for their hard and fruitful work:
Econometrica: Christian Dustmann, Lars Hansen, Alessandro Lizzeri, George Mailath, Ariel Pakes, Helene Rey, and Elie Tamer.
QE: Kate Ho, Michael Keane, Felix Kubler, Whitney Newey, and Frank Schorfheide.
TE: Jeff Ely, Johannes Horner, Gilat Levy, Meg Meyer, and Ran Spiegler.
