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Heterogeneity and Aggregate Consumption: An Empirical Assessment

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  • Jordi Galí
  • Davide Debortoli

Abstract

We provide an empirical assessment of a central implication of models with idiosyncratic income risk and incomplete markets: the existence of a role for the distribution of wealth in shaping the dynamics of aggregate consumption. Estimates of consumption Euler equation models extended to include wealth distribution statistics show the latter to have a negligible quantitative impact on aggregate consumption. This contrasts with the important role played by current disposable income, even when we use data for households with (relatively) high liquid wealth. The latter finding suggests the presence of a significant behavioral component behind the high sensitivity of consumption to current income.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordi Galí & Davide Debortoli, 2025. "Heterogeneity and Aggregate Consumption: An Empirical Assessment," Working Papers 1484, Barcelona School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bge:wpaper:1484
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Berger & Luigi Bocola & Alessandro Dovis, 2023. "Imperfect Risk Sharing and the Business Cycle," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 138(3), pages 1765-1815.
    2. Greg Kaplan & Benjamin Moll & Giovanni L. Violante, 2018. "Monetary Policy According to HANK," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 108(3), pages 697-743, March.
    3. Davide Debortoli & Jordi Galí, 2024. "Heterogeneity and Aggregate Fluctuations: Insights from TANK Models," NBER Chapters, in: NBER Macroeconomics Annual 2024, volume 39, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Davide Debortoli & Jordi Galí, 2024. "Idiosyncratic Income Risk and Aggregate Fluctuations," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 16(4), pages 279-310, October.
    5. Emmanuel Farhi & Iván Werning, 2019. "Monetary Policy, Bounded Rationality, and Incomplete Markets," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 109(11), pages 3887-3928, November.
    6. John Y. Campbell & N. Gregory Mankiw, 1989. "Consumption, Income, and Interest Rates: Reinterpreting the Time Series Evidence," NBER Chapters, in: NBER Macroeconomics Annual 1989, Volume 4, pages 185-246, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    8. repec:fth:harver:1435 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    HANK models; idiosyncratic income risk; incomplete markets; representative household; TANK models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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