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Consumption and Habits: Evidence from Panel Data

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  • López-Salido, J David
  • Carrasco, Raquel
  • Labeaga Azcona, J Maria

Abstract

The purpose of this Paper is to test for the presence of habit formation in consumption decisions using household panel data. We use the test proposed by Meghir and Weber (1996) and estimate the within-period marginal rate of substitution between commodities, which is robust to the presence of liquidity constraints. To that end, we use a Spanish panel dataset in which households are observed up to eight consecutive quarters. This temporal dimension is crucial, since it allows us to take into account time invariant unobserved heterogeneity across households ('fixed effects') and, therefore, to investigate if the relationship between current and past consumption reflects habits or heterogeneity. Our results confirm the importance of accounting for fixed effects when analysing intertemporal consumption decisions allowing for time non-separabilities. Once fixed effects are controlled for and a proper set of instruments is used, the results yield supporting evidence of habit formation in the demand system of food at home, transport and services.

Suggested Citation

  • López-Salido, J David & Carrasco, Raquel & Labeaga Azcona, J Maria, 2002. "Consumption and Habits: Evidence from Panel Data," CEPR Discussion Papers 3520, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:3520
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Consumption; Habits; Panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis

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