Household Characteristics and Consumption Behaviour: A Nonparametric Approach.

In this paper we apply nonparametric methods in order to discuss some empirical aspects of household consumption behavior First, we study the differences in the consumption behaviour between household types. We find that, except for food, there are no clear significant differences. Secondly, we derive the functional form for the food Engel curve, using specification tests consistent in the direction of nonparametric alternatives. Finally, we use this specification to discuss the misleading conclusions that could be reached from a mechanic interpretation of the rejection of Hausman's test, when applied to test the exogeneity of expenditure. The data is obtained from the Spanish Expenditure Survey 1980-81 and 1990-91.