An international study of non-parametric cost-of-living indexes derivable from the generalized Fechner-Thurstone direct utility function

Abstract

This dissertation presents several cost-of-living indexes derived from the generalized Fechner-Thurstone direct utility function for six Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries: Belgium, Canada, West Germany, Greece, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Also presented are estimates of the own-price, income, and apparent substitution elasticities for eight commodity groups in these countries. Also discussed is the homogeneity in prices only and in prices and total expenditure of the marginal rates of substitution for these goods.