We show that the use of pooled and panel data in estimating β-convergence across countries (or other territorial areas) may involve some pitfalls, since these techniques cannot properly distinguish between actual convergence and the possibility of decreasing growth rates over time within each...

This work tests precautionary saving theory in Italian regions, examining the relationship between consumption growth and income uncertainty in a panel of five-year averages in the period 1981 to 2000. The analysis used two different measures for income uncertainty. The first is a naive measure...