Hidden Figures: Uncovering Quantities Behind Zeros with Econometrics

Anirban Basu
Working Paper 31632
DOI 10.3386/w31632
Issue Date
Revision Date

This chapter reviews the econometric approaches typically used to deal with the spike of zeros when modeling non-negative outcomes such as expenditures, income, or consumption.

Related

Topics

Econometrics
Estimation Methods
Microeconomics
Health, Education, and Welfare

Programs

Economics of Health
Technical Working Papers

More from the NBER

In addition to working papers, the NBER disseminates affiliates’ latest findings through a range of free periodicals — the NBER Reporter, the NBER Digest, the Bulletin on Health, and the Bulletin on Entrepreneurship — as well as online conference reports, video lectures, and interviews.

2025, 17th Annual Feldstein Lecture, N. Gregory Mankiw," The Fiscal Future"
2025, 17th Annual Feldstein Lecture, N. Gregory Mankiw," The Fiscal Future"
  • Feldstein Lecture
N. Gregory Mankiw, Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics at Harvard University, presented the 2025 Martin Feldstein...
2025 Methods Lecture, Raj Chetty, "Uncovering Causal Mechanisms: Mediation Analysis and Surrogate Indices"
2025, Methods Lecture, Raj Chetty and Kosuke Imai, "Uncovering Causal Mechanisms: Mediation Analysis and Surrogate Indices"
  • Methods Lectures
SlidesBackground materials on mediationImai, Kosuke, Dustin Tingley, and Teppei Yamamoto. (2013). “Experimental Designs...
2025 International Trade and Macroeconomics, "Panel on The Future of the Global Economy"
2025 International Trade and Macroeconomics, "Panel on The Future of the Global Economy"
  • Panel Discussion
Supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant #G-2023-19633, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation grant #20251294...