scholarly journals A New Method of Estimating Risk Aversion

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 1821-1834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Chetty

I show existing evidence on labor supply behavior places an upper bound on risk aversion in the expected utility model. I derive a formula for the coefficient of relative risk aversion (γ) in terms of the ratio of the income elasticity of labor supply to wage elasticity and degree of complementarity between consumption and labor. I bound the degree of complementarity using data on consumption choices when labor supply varies across states. Using labor supply elasticity estimates, I find a mean estimate of [Formula: see text], then show generating γ > 2 requires that wage increases cause sharper labor supply reductions.

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Goldberg

I use a field experiment to estimate the wage elasticity of employment in the day labor market in rural Malawi. Once a week for 12 consecutive weeks, I make job offers for a workfare-type program to 529 adults. The daily wage varies from the tenth to the ninetieth percentile of the wage distribution, and individuals are entitled to work a maximum of one day per week. In this context (the low agricultural season), 74 percent of individuals worked at the lowest wage, and consequently the estimated labor supply elasticity is low (0.15), regardless of observable characteristics. (JEL C93, J22, J31, O15, O18, R23)


2016 ◽  
pp. 111-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Klepikova

The paper estimates wage elasticity of labor supply in Russia - both intensive and extensive margins. Empirical research is based on the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey - Higher School of Economics data for the period from 2004 to 2014. The study uses an adaptation of the Heckman selection model, estimation proceeds in four stages. It is shown that elasticity of the decision regarding hours worked is insignificant for all demographic groups with the exception of married women, for whom it is significantly negative. The elasticity regarding the decision to participate is positive, but quite low for people aged 25-54, and is much higher for those in the early retirement age. The possible application of the obtained estimates is demonstrated by measuring potential effect of personal income tax and pension system reforms on the labor supply.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 831-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruxanda Berlinschi ◽  
Ani Harutyunyan

This research investigates migrant self-selection on values, beliefs, and attitudes using data from Eastern European and former Soviet countries. We find that individuals who intend to emigrate are more politically active, more critical of governance and institutions, more tolerant toward other cultures, less tolerant of cheating, more optimistic, and less risk averse. With the exception of risk aversion, all selection patterns are heterogeneous across regions of origin. On the other hand, no self-selection pattern is detected on education, willingness to pay for public goods, and economic liberalism. These findings provide new insights into the determinants of international migration and reveal some of its less known consequences, such as a possible reduction of domestic pressure for political improvements in post-Soviet states due to politically active citizens’ higher propensity to emigrate.


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