Empirical Bayes Estimation in Heterogeneous Coefficient Panel Models

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Song, Myunghyun, Lee, Sokbae, Ng, Serena
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2026
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author Song, Myunghyun
Lee, Sokbae
Ng, Serena
author_facet Song, Myunghyun
Lee, Sokbae
Ng, Serena
contents We develop an empirical Bayes (EB) G-modeling framework for short-panel linear models with nonparametric prior for the random intercepts, slopes, dynamics, and non-spherical error variances. We establish identification and consistency of the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator (NPMLE) under general conditions, and provide low-level sufficient conditions for several models of empirical interest. Conditions for regret consistency of the EB estimators are also established. The NPMLE is computed using a Wasserstein-Fisher-Rao gradient flow algorithm adapted to panel regressions. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we find that the slope coefficient for potential experience is substantially heterogeneous and negatively correlated with the random intercept, and that error variances and autoregressive coefficients vary significantly across individuals. The EB estimates reduce mean squared prediction errors relative to individual maximum likelihood estimates.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_07059
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Empirical Bayes Estimation in Heterogeneous Coefficient Panel Models
Song, Myunghyun
Lee, Sokbae
Ng, Serena
Econometrics
Methodology
We develop an empirical Bayes (EB) G-modeling framework for short-panel linear models with nonparametric prior for the random intercepts, slopes, dynamics, and non-spherical error variances. We establish identification and consistency of the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator (NPMLE) under general conditions, and provide low-level sufficient conditions for several models of empirical interest. Conditions for regret consistency of the EB estimators are also established. The NPMLE is computed using a Wasserstein-Fisher-Rao gradient flow algorithm adapted to panel regressions. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we find that the slope coefficient for potential experience is substantially heterogeneous and negatively correlated with the random intercept, and that error variances and autoregressive coefficients vary significantly across individuals. The EB estimates reduce mean squared prediction errors relative to individual maximum likelihood estimates.
title Empirical Bayes Estimation in Heterogeneous Coefficient Panel Models
topic Econometrics
Methodology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.07059