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Zipf’S Law: Main Issues In Empirical Work

Author

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  • Rafael GONZÀLEZ-VAL

    (Universitat de Barcelona & Institut d'Economia de Barcelona)

Abstract

One of the stylised facts in Urban Economics is Zipf’s law, according to which city size distribution in many countries can be approximated by a Pareto distribution, whose exponent is equal to one. In this paper we point out the three main issues in any empirical work on city size distribution and Zipf’s law : city definition, sample size, and the choice of the estimator. We review the more recent developments, especially those related to the relationship between the geographical unit chosen and sample size, and the features of the different methods to estimate the Pareto exponent. We illustrate the arguments, providing empirical examples using actual data from the city size distribution in the United States.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael GONZÀLEZ-VAL, 2012. "Zipf’S Law: Main Issues In Empirical Work," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 36, pages 147-164.
    • Handle: RePEc:tou:journl:v:36:y:2012:p:147-164
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    CITY SIZE DISTRIBUTION; ZIPF’S LAW;

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • C16 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Econometric and Statistical Methods; Specific Distributions

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