Dynamic Heterogeneous Distribution Regression Panel Models, with an Application to Labor Income Processes

Abstract

We introduce a dynamic distribution regression panel data model with heterogeneous coefficients across units. The objects of primary interest are functionals of these coefficients, including predicted one-step-ahead and stationary cross-sectional distributions of the outcome variable. Coefficients and their functionals are estimated via fixed effect methods. We investigate how these functionals vary in response to counterfactual changes in initial conditions or covariate values. We also identify a uniformity problem related to the robustness of inference to the unknown degree of coefficient heterogeneity, and propose a cross-sectional bootstrap method for uniformly valid inference on function-valued objects. We showcase the utility of our approach through an empirical application to individual income dynamics. Employing the annual Panel Study of Income Dynamics data, we establish the presence of substantial coefficient heterogeneity. We then highlight some important empirical questions that our methodology can address. First, we quantify the impact of a negative labor income shock on the distribution of future labor income. Second, we demonstrate the existence of heterogeneity in income mobility, and its implications for an individuals' incidence to be trapped in poverty. Simulation evidence confirms that our procedures work well in small samples.