Will High Household Saving in China Persist? An Application of the Conspicuous Consumption Theory
2017. International Journal of Economic Behavior 7(1): 3-24
Posted: 30 Jun 2017 Last revised: 20 Nov 2017
Date Written: June 1, 2017
Abstract
Expanding from Veblen’s conspicuous consumption theory, this paper provides new explanations on China’s household saving behavior. Using provincial level data, it finds evidence that urbanization, increased mobility of the population, and a greater degree of openness all depress household saving, likely through higher conspicuous consumption. This result is robust with different estimators and specifications. Among the conventional explanatory variables, the paper finds support for the permanent income theory, but little evidence for the life cycle theory.
Keywords: conspicuous consumption; household saving Chinese economy; cultural changes; international openness; urbanization; population mobility
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