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Preference elicitation methods and equivalent income: an overview

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  • Shaun da Costa

    (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement)

  • Koen Decancq

    (Universiteit Antwerpen = University of Antwerp)

  • Marc Fleurbaey

    (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement)

  • Erik Schokkaert

    (KU Leuven - Catholic University of Leuven = Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

Abstract

The equivalent income is a preference-based, interpersonally comparable measure of well-being.Although its theoretical foundations are well-established, empirical applications remain limited, primarily due to the detailed data requirements on individuals' preferences across various wellbeing dimensions. This paper reviews the literature on preference elicitation methods with a focus on estimating equivalent income. We examine several survey-based methods, including contingent valuation, multi-attribute choice or rating experiments, and life satisfaction regressions. The review highlights the advantages and limitations of each method, emphasizing the considerable scope for methodological improvements and innovations.

Suggested Citation

  • Shaun da Costa & Koen Decancq & Marc Fleurbaey & Erik Schokkaert, 2024. "Preference elicitation methods and equivalent income: an overview," PSE Working Papers halshs-04840652, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:psewpa:halshs-04840652
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-04840652v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Da Costa Shaun Mark, 2026. "Beyond GDP and life expectancy: welfare comparisons across the Atlantic," JRC Working Papers in Economics and Finance 2025-05-2, Joint Research Centre, European Commission.

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