Estimation of Engel Curves from Survey Data with Zero Expenditures*
提出一种贝叶斯方法，利用包含零支出的调查数据估计恩格尔函数系统，通过马尔可夫链蒙特卡洛方法估计不可观测参数，并计算不平等度和总消费弹性。
Abstract The objective of this article is to propose a Bayesian method for estimating a system of Engel functions using survey data that include zero expenditures. We deal explicitly with the problem of zero expenditures in the model and estimate a system of Engel functions that satisfy the adding‐up condition. Furthermore, using Markov chain Monte Carlo method, we estimate unobservable parameters, including consumption of commodities, total consumption and equivalence scale, and use their posterior distributions to calculate inequality measures and total consumption elasticities.