Semiparametric quantile Engel curves and expenditure elasticities: a penalized quantile regression spline approach

Abstract

This article estimates nonparametric Engel curves and expenditure elasticities by quantile for an exhaustive set of household expenditure categories using a novel estimation approach. Engel curves and expenditure elasticities are vital inputs to evaluating the effects of public policies. This article examines whether Engel curves and expenditure elasticities evaluated for an average individual are importantly different from the Engel curves and expenditure elasticities at the upper and lower quantiles.