Estimating Individual Discount Rates in Denmark: A Field Experiment

Estimating Individual Discount Rates in Denmark: A Field Experiment

November 2001 | Glenn W. Harrison, Morten I. Lau and Melonie B. Williams
This paper estimates individual discount rates in Denmark using a field experiment with 268 adults aged 19-75. The study finds that discount rates are constant over time horizons of 6 months to 3 years, vary with socio-demographic characteristics, and decline with age after middle age. The results suggest that discount rates can be assumed constant for specific household types but not the same across all households. The study uses real monetary rewards and field experiments to elicit discount rates, and accounts for potential market rate censored responses. The findings indicate that discount rates are generally higher than market rates, and that individuals may overestimate exponential functions, leading to higher implied discount rates. The study also finds that discount rates are influenced by factors such as age, income, and household type. The results suggest that welfare analysts should use constant discount rates for specific household types but allow for variation across households. The study highlights the importance of considering individual differences in discount rates when evaluating inter-temporal welfare.This paper estimates individual discount rates in Denmark using a field experiment with 268 adults aged 19-75. The study finds that discount rates are constant over time horizons of 6 months to 3 years, vary with socio-demographic characteristics, and decline with age after middle age. The results suggest that discount rates can be assumed constant for specific household types but not the same across all households. The study uses real monetary rewards and field experiments to elicit discount rates, and accounts for potential market rate censored responses. The findings indicate that discount rates are generally higher than market rates, and that individuals may overestimate exponential functions, leading to higher implied discount rates. The study also finds that discount rates are influenced by factors such as age, income, and household type. The results suggest that welfare analysts should use constant discount rates for specific household types but allow for variation across households. The study highlights the importance of considering individual differences in discount rates when evaluating inter-temporal welfare.
Reach us at info@study.space