Testing Convergence in Income Distribution

Title: Testing Convergence in Income Distribution
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2009
Description:

The generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator is often used to test for convergence in income distribution in a dynamic panel set-up. We argue that though consistent, the GMM estimator utilizes the sample observations inefficiently. We propose a simple ordinary least squares (OLS) estimator with more efficient use of sample information. Our Monte Carlo study shows that the GMM estimator can be very imprecise and severely biased in finite samples. In contrast, the OLS estimator overcomes these shortcomings.

External Contributors: Yong Bao
Citation:

Bao, Yong and Shatakshee Dhongde. "Testing Convergence in Income Distribution" Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 71.2 (2009).

Categories:
  • Development Economics
Related Links:
Related Departments:
  • School of Economics