Counterfeiting in Italian regions: an empirical analysis based on new data

The purpose of this paper is to examine the counterfeiting process in Italy, at a subnational level.

The paper uses panel data estimators and mixture models regression.

The paper finds that homogeneous clusters of regions could be derived, as a result of economic and geographical reasons. Moreover, household and public administration expenditure, indirect taxation, foreigners/population ratio and the number of ports have a positive impact on the counterfeiting diffusion index.

The paper is practical as a source of reference in contrasting counterfeiting process.

The paper uses new data applying recent econometric techniques to find homogeneous groups of regions on counterfeiting index.