Estimating Nonlinear Heterogeneous Agent Models with Neural Networks

Authors

Hanno Kase, Leonardo Melosi, Matthias Rottner

July 9, 2024

FEDERAL RESERVE RESEARCH: Chicago

We leverage recent advancements in machine learning to develop an integrated method to solve globally and estimate models featuring agent heterogeneity, nonlinear constraints, and aggregate uncertainty. Using simulated data, we show that the proposed method accurately estimates the parameters of a nonlinear Heterogeneous Agent New Keynesian (HANK) model with a zero lower bound (ZLB) constraint. We further apply our method to estimate this HANK model using U.S. data. In the estimated model, the interaction between the ZLB constraint and idiosyncratic income risks emerges as a key source of aggregate output volatility.

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