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Economic approach to intergenerational mobility: Measures, methods, and challenges in developing countries

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  • Shahe Emran
  • Forhad Shilpi

Abstract

This paper provides a critical survey and synthesis of the recent economic literature on intergenerational mobility in developing countries, with a focus on data and methodological challenges. The attenuation due to measurement error is compounded by sample truncation resulting from co-residency and causes substantial downward bias in intergenerational regression coefficient. In contrast, intergenerational correlation and intergenerational rank correlation are much more robust to such data limitations.

Suggested Citation

  • Shahe Emran & Forhad Shilpi, 2019. "Economic approach to intergenerational mobility: Measures, methods, and challenges in developing countries," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2019-98, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2019-98
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