Intertemporal Substitution in Consumption: a Literature Review
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: This paper reviews the status quo of the empirical literature about the elasticity of intertemporal substitution (EIS) in consumption. Aiming to answer the question what the true magnitude of the parameter really is, it discusses several recent advances of the theory and highlights challenges for the estimation. Although the general discussion still seems to be prevailed by Hall's early EIS estimates close to zero, we show that several deviations from the time‐additive constant relative risk aversion model speak in favor of considerably higher values. Our treatment is supposed to provide researchers a hint at which parameter is a reasonable and incontrovertible choice for the calibration of models in macroeconomics and finance.
Source: Journal of Economic Surveys
DOI: 10.1111/joes.12142
Author: Julian Thimme
Institution: Goethe University Frankfurt
Language: English
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2550865288