Nonparametric identification and estimation of sample selection models under symmetry

Under a conditional mean restriction Das et al. (2003) considered nonparametric estimation of sample selection models. However, their method can only identify the outcome regression function up to a constant. In this paper we strengthen the conditional mean restriction to a symmetry restriction under which selection biases due to selection on unobservables can be eliminated through proper matching of propensity scores; consequently we are able to identify and obtain consistent estimators for the average treatment effects and the structural regression functions. The results from a simulation study suggest that our estimators perform satisfactorily. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.