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Using Large Data Sets to Forecast Sectoral Employment

Author

Listed:
  • Rangan Gupta

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria)

  • Alain Kabundi

    (Department of Economics and Econometrics, University of Johannesburg)

  • Stephen M. Miller

    (College of Business, University of Las Vegas, Nevada)

  • Josine Uwilingiye

    (Department of Economics and Econometrics, University of Johannesburg)

Abstract
We implement several Bayesian and classical models to forecast employment for eight sectors of the US economy. In addition to standard vector-autoregressive and Bayesian vector autoregressive models, we also include the information content of 143 additional monthly series in some models. Several approaches exist for incorporating information from a large number of series. We consider two approaches – extracting common factors (principle components) in a factor-augmented vector autoregressive or vector error-correction, Bayesian factor-augmented vector autoregressive or vector error-correction models, or Bayesian shrinkage in a large-scale Bayesian vector autoregressive models. Using the period of January 1972 to December 1999 as the in-sample period and January 2000 to March 2009 as the out-of-sample horizon, we compare the forecast performance of the alternative models. Finally, we forecast out-of sample from April 2009 through March 2010, using the best forecasting model for each employment series. We find that factor augmented models, especially error-correction versions, generally prove the best in out-of-sample forecast performance, implying that in addition to macroeconomic variables, incorporating long-run relationships along with short-run dynamics play an important role in forecasting employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Rangan Gupta & Alain Kabundi & Stephen M. Miller & Josine Uwilingiye, 2011. "Using Large Data Sets to Forecast Sectoral Employment," Working Papers 201101, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pre:wpaper:201101
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    1. Rangan Gupta & Hardik A. Marfatia & Christian Pierdzioch & Afees A. Salisu, 2022. "Machine Learning Predictions of Housing Market Synchronization across US States: The Role of Uncertainty," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 64(4), pages 523-545, May.
    2. Rangan Gupta & Faaiqa Hartley, 2013. "The Role of Asset Prices in Forecasting Inflation and Output in South Africa," Journal of Emerging Market Finance, Institute for Financial Management and Research, vol. 12(3), pages 239-291, December.
    3. Hossein Hassani & Zara Ghodsi & Rangan Gupta & Mawuli Segnon, 2017. "Forecasting Home Sales in the Four Census Regions and the Aggregate US Economy Using Singular Spectrum Analysis," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 49(1), pages 83-97, January.
    4. Hassani, Hossein & Silva, Emmanuel Sirimal & Gupta, Rangan & Das, Sonali, 2018. "Predicting global temperature anomaly: A definitive investigation using an ensemble of twelve competing forecasting models," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 509(C), pages 121-139.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sectoral Employment; Forecasting; Factor Augmented Models; Large-Scale BVAR models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • R31 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Housing Supply and Markets

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