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Hyperbolic Discounting of Public Goods

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  • W. Kip Viscusi
  • Joel Huber

Abstract

This article examines revealed rates of time preference for public goods, using environmental quality as the case study. A nationally representative panel-based sample of 2,914 respondents considered a series of 5 conjoint policy choices, yielding 14,570 decisions. Both the conditional fixed effect logit estimates of the random utility model and mixed logit estimates implied that the rate of time preference is very high for immediate improvements and drops off substantially thereafter, which is inconsistent with exponential discounting but consistent with hyperbolic discounting. The implied marginal rate of time preference declines and then rises. Estimates of the quasi-hyperbolic discounting parameter range from 0.48 to 0.61. People who are older are especially likely to have a high disutility from delays in improving water quality.

Suggested Citation

  • W. Kip Viscusi & Joel Huber, 2006. "Hyperbolic Discounting of Public Goods," NBER Working Papers 11935, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:11935
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Julia M. Puaschunder, 2021. "Law and Economics," RAIS Conference Proceedings 2021 0117, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies.
    5. Daniel H. Cole, 2007. "The Stern Review and its critics: implications for the theory and practice of costs-benefits analysis," QA - Rivista dell'Associazione Rossi-Doria, Associazione Rossi Doria, issue 4, November.
    6. Mwangi, Magdalene Mutumi & Ritho, Cecilia Nyawira & Willy, Daniel Kyalo & Guthiga, Paul Maina, 2017. "Factors Influencing Resource Use Behavior In Ewaso Narok Wetland, Kenya," Dissertations and Theses 269531, University of Nairobi, Department of Agricultural Economics.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q20 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - General
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • H40 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - General

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