Semiparametric estimation and consumer demand

This paper considers the implementation of semiparametric methods in the empirical analysis of consumer demand. The application is to the estimation of the Engel curve relationship and uses the British Family Expenditure Survey. Household composition is modelled using an extended partially linear framework. This is shown to provide a useful method for pooling non-parametric Engel curves across households of different demographic composition. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.