Saving Rate Dynamics in the Neoclassical Growth Model – Hyperbolic Discounting and Observational Equivalence

Y. Hossein Farzin () and Ron Wendner

No 2013.42, Working Papers from Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei

Abstract: The standard neoclassical growth model with Cobb-Douglas production predicts a monotonically declining saving rate, when reasonably calibrated. Ample empirical evidence, however, shows that the transition path of a country’s saving rate exhibits a rising or non-monotonic pattern. In important cases, hyperbolic discounting, which is empirically strongly supported, implies transitional dynamics of the saving rate that accords well with empirical evidence. This holds true even in a growth model with Cobb-Douglas production technology. We also identify the cases where hyperbolic discounting is observationally equivalent to exponential discounting. In those cases, hyperbolic discounting does not affect the saving rate dynamics. Numerical simulations employing a generalized class of hyperbolic discounting functions that we term regular discounting functions support the results.

Keywords: Saving Rate; Non-Monotonic Transition Path; Hyperbolic Discounting; Regular Discounting; Commitment; Short Planning Horizon; Neoclassical Growth Model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 E21 O40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dge and nep-fdg
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Working Paper: Saving Rate Dynamics in the Neoclassical Growth Model – Hyperbolic Discounting and Observational Equivalence (2013)
Working Paper: Saving Rate Dynamics in the Neoclassical Growth Model – Hyperbolic Discounting and Observational Equivalence (2013)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fem:femwpa:2013.42

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