Intro -- Contents -- I. INTRODUCTION -- II. ELEMENTARY INDEX NUMBER FORMULAS, THEIR USE AND JUSTIFICATION -- III. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE JEVONS AND DUTOT FORMULAS -- IV. EMPIRICAL WORK -- V. IMPLICATIONS FOR CPI COMPILATION -- VI. SUMMARY -- Data Annex.

The Consumer Price Index Manual (2004) provides guidelines for aggregation formulas that are promulgated at IMF training courses and technical assistance missions. This paper develops elementary level aggregation theory to better inform users and compilers. Most countries use either the Dutot or...

The Consumer Price Index Manual (2004) provides guidelines for aggregation formulas that are promulgated at IMF training courses and technical assistance missions. This paper develops elementary level aggregation theory to better inform users and compilers. Most countries use either the Dutot or...

We consider three approaches to estimating quality-adjusted price changes: (i) the dummy variable approach from a hedonic regression, (ii) a superlative or exact hedonic index and (iii) a matching technique - a technique akin to that used by statistical offices. The dummy variable approach is...