This paper investigates precautionary saving under liquidity constraints
in Pakistan using household panel data. In particular, while we estimates
Kimball's (1990) prudence parameter, we deviate from Dynan's (1993)
framework by explicitly considering liquidity constraints, as in Zeldes
(1989). By doing so, we attempt to differentiate the standard precautionary
saving caused by uncertainty from the one due to liquidity constraints.
Furthermore, endogenous liquidity constraints are considered to resolve issues
of selection biases. In this study, we document substantial evidence
of the presence of precautionary saving in Pakistan. More specifically, the
estimated prudence is significantly higher for liquidity-constrained households
as compared with unconstrained ones. The results support the
emerging view that facilitating saving may often be more important than
finding better ways of lending to the poor.
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