Problems of operationalizing the concept of a cost-of-living index

Breuer, Claus C. and von der Lippe, Peter (2011): Problems of operationalizing the concept of a cost-of-living index.

Abstract

The aim of our paper is to discuss the problems of operationalizing the concept of a .cost-of-living-index. (COLI). For this purpose we are first undertaking a theoretical analysis of Diewert’s theory of superlative index numbers as one possible approach to approximate a COLI. We show that Diewert.s superlative index approach is arguable in many points and that the approach requires restrictive assumptions which are not likely to be met in observed households behaviour. To get a better idea about the deviation of observed households behaviour from the neoclassical assumptions about utility maximizing behaviour, we are estimating an Almost Ideal Demand System and a Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System with cross section micro data from the German income and expenditure survey. Using the results of the demand system estimations we calculate COLIs and compare them with superlative index numbers and the Laspeyres price index.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: cost-of-living index; superlative index numbers; Diewert; demand systems
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C4 - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics > C43 - Index Numbers and Aggregation; D - Microeconomics > D1 - Household Behavior and Family Economics > D12 - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis

References

von der Lippe, P. (2007), Index Theory and Price Statistics, Peter Lang Verlag, Frankfurt am Main.

Diewert, W. E.(1976), Exact and Superlative Index Numbers, Journal of Econometrics Vol. 4, 114-145.