The Demand for Books Estimated by Means of Consumer Survey Data

Vidar Ringstad () and Knut Løyland ()

Journal of Cultural Economics, 2006, vol. 30, issue 2, pages 141-155

Abstract: In this analysis we present some results for book demand (schoolbooks are excluded) in Norway, obtained by means of a three-goods model (books, other cultural goods and non-cultural goods) and survey data for more than 18000 households from the period 1986–1999. Various methods of estimation are used, and they provide, surprisingly unambiguous results. Our hypotheses about the price and income sensitivity of book demand are confirmed. Books turn out to be “luxury” goods. Our calculations do also suggest that they are quite price sensitive and that they are close substitutes to other cultural goods. The results for socio-demographic variables indicate that access to outlets for books, sex and age matter for book demand. Moreover, we find that single persons and households with small children, especially those with children less than 7 years, are frequent book-buyers. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2006

Keywords: book demand; income elasticity; price elasticities; consumer survey data (search for similar items in EconPapers)
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