Economic Development and Consumption Patterns in Asian Countries

This book analyzes consumption patterns in Asian countries that are at different stages of economic development and highlights the similarities and disparities of consumption patterns across countries using a system-wide framework. In a departure from previous studies in the literature which mainly present only single-country analysis, this book aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of cross-country consumption patterns considering several Asian countries, using the most recent consumption expenditure data for aggregate commodity groups. In comparing consumption patterns across countries, the book use unit-free measurements such as budget shares and changes in logarithms of price and quantities, thus avoiding problems associated with exchange rate conversions. The book also analyses the dynamic behaviour in the consumption patterns of the Asian consumers.

The findings of this book will be invaluable to researchers in development economics as well as policymakers in the formulation of fiscal policy or other types of economic control.

Shashika D Rathnayaka is a Research Fellow at the Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom. Shashika is also an Applied Economist at the Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes (SEFARI) and a Fellow at the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Research in Energy Economics and Finance (ACREEF).

Saroja Selvanathan is a Professor of Econometrics in the Economics and Business Statistics Discipline at Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. Saroja is also the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy. Saroja has a PhD from University of Western Australia and has published 8 research monographs and well over 100 journal articles.

Eliyathamby A Selvanathan is the director of the Economics Policy Analysis Program (EPAP) and Professor of Econometrics in the Economics and Business Statistics Discipline at Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. Selva has published 10 research monographs and well over 100 journal articles.