Document Type
Discussion Paper
Publication Date
5-20-2021
CFDP Number
2289
CFDP Pages
71
Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) Code(s)
C11, C32, C52, E32
Abstract
We develop a state-space model with a state-transition equation that takes the form of a functional vector autoregression and stacks macroeconomic aggregates and a cross-sectional density. The measurement equation captures the error in estimating log densities from repeated cross-sectional samples. The log densities and the transition kernels in the law of motion of the states are approximated by sieves, which leads to a nite-dimensional representation in terms of macroeconomic aggregates and sieve coefficients. We use this model to study the joint dynamics of technology shocks, per capita GDP, employment rates, and the earnings distribution. We nd that the estimated spillovers between aggregate and distributional dynamics are generally small, a positive technology shock tends to decrease inequality, and a shock that raises the inequality of earnings leads to a small but not signifi cant increase in GDP.
Recommended Citation
Chang, Minsu; Chen, Xiaohong; and Schorfheide, Frank, "Heterogeneity and Aggregate Fluctuations" (2021). Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers. 2623.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/cowles-discussion-paper-series/2623