<p><p>"Only entropy comes easily" - Anton Chekhov</p> </p><p><p>Various methods have been used to overcome the point identification problem inherent in the linear age-period-cohort model. This paper presents a set-identification result for the model and then considers the use of the maximum-entropy principle as a vehicle for achieving point identification. We present two substantive applications (US female mortality data and UK female labor force participation) and compare the results from our approach to some of the solutions in the literature.</p> </p>
Authors
![Martin Browning](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-07/Martin%20Browning.jpg?itok=15ISWZWp)
Research Associate University of Copenhagen
Martin is an IFS Research Associate, a Nuffield Senior Research Fellow and a Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford.
![Person graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-06/IFS-person-graphic.png?itok=hWCtTSrz)
Ian Crawford
![Person graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-06/IFS-person-graphic.png?itok=hWCtTSrz)
Marike Knoef
Working Paper details
- DOI
- 10.1920/wp.cem.2012.0212
- Publisher
- IFS
Suggested citation
M, Browning and I, Crawford and M, Knoef. (2012). The age-period cohort problem: set identification and point identification. London: IFS. Available at: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/age-period-cohort-problem-set-identification-and-point-identification (accessed: 30 June 2024).
Related documents
More from IFS
Understand this issue
![State Pension claim form](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2023-12/state-pension-claim-form.jpg?itok=OCixJu9J)
Where next for the state pension?
13 December 2023
![Nice houses with city in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2023-12/nice-houses-with-city-in-background_0.jpg?itok=TDx-TwSe)
Social mobility and wealth
12 December 2023
![Chancellor Jeremy Hunt with red box](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2023-12/chancellor-jeremy-hunt-with-red-box.jpg?itok=Dah5hdYC)
Autumn Statement 2023: IFS analysis
23 November 2023
Policy analysis
![Welsh town with mountains behind](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/Welsh-town-feature.jpg?itok=5axb5wZn)
How would the parties’ tax and spending plans affect Scotland and Wales?
28 June 2024
![Man putting vote into ballot box](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-07/Man-putting-vote-into-ballot-box.jpg?itok=Pa6g41dr)
General Election 2024: Manifesto Analysis Presentations
24 June 2024
![Shopping street](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/Street-scene-.jpg?itok=R39cR6Xp)
How do the last five years measure up on levelling up?
19 June 2024
Academic research
![Working paper cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/WP202428-The-impact-of%20labour-demand-shocks-when-occupational-labour-supplies-are-heterogeneous.jpg?itok=Erq9-V9O)
The impact of labour demand shocks when occupational labour supplies are heterogeneous
28 June 2024
![Working Paper Cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/WP202427-The-impact-of-flexibility-at-work-on-fertility_Page_01.jpg?itok=pHaEvbkK)
The impact of flexibility at work on fertility
11 June 2024
![Working Paper Cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/WP202426-Intergenerational-mobility-in-socio-emotional-skills_Page_01.jpg?itok=wH1znQhh)
Intergenerational mobility in socio-emotional skills
5 June 2024