Discussion Papers no. 451

The substitution bias of the consumer price index

The paper uses elementary consumer theory to propose an inflation independent ratio definition of the substitution bias of the Laspeyres consumer price index, and derives an approximate substitution bias which depends on the size of the price change as measured by a norm in the Laspeyres plane and on the elasticity of substitution in the direction of the price change. This norm or distance measure can be interpreted as a price substitution index which yields useful information about the movements of relative prices. Norwegian CPI data are used to quantify these relationships.

Om publikasjonen

Tittel

The substitution bias of the consumer price index

Ansvarlig

Petter Frenger

Serie og -nummer

Discussion Papers no. 451

Emne

Discussion Papers

Antall sider

32

Målform

Engelsk

Om Discussion Papers

Discussion papers comprise research papers intended for international journals and books. A preprint of a Discussion Paper may be longer and more elaborate than a standard journal article as it may include intermediate calculations, background material etc.

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