|
On Calculating Cost-of-Living Index Numbers for Arbitrary Income Levels
Bert M. Balk
Abstract
We present a method for calculating cost-of-living index numbers for arbitrary base period income levels without using heavy econometric estimation methods. The second order approximation formulas contain parameters which can easily be estimated by a differential demand system. Using a suitable specification, it is possible to work at a low level of commodity aggregation. The method is demonstrated on Netherlands data for the period 1952-1981.
|
