An Algorithmic Crystal Ball: Forecasts-based on Machine Learning

Forecasting macroeconomic variables is key to developing a view on a country's economic outlook. Most traditional forecasting models rely on fitting data to a pre-specified relationship between input and output variables, thereby assuming a specific functional and stochastic process underlying...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Jung, Jin-Kyu
Other Authors: Patnam, Manasa, Ter-Martirosyan, Anna
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Washington, D.C. International Monetary Fund 2018
Series:IMF Working Papers
Subjects:
Online Access:
Collection: International Monetary Fund - Collection details see MPG.ReNa
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245 0 0 |a An Algorithmic Crystal Ball: Forecasts-based on Machine Learning  |c Jin-Kyu Jung, Manasa Patnam, Anna Ter-Martirosyan 
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653 |a Machine learning 
653 |a Technological Change: Choices and Consequences 
653 |a Technology 
653 |a Economic Forecasting 
653 |a Intelligence (AI) & Semantics 
653 |a Diffusion Processes 
653 |a Economic forecasting 
653 |a Neural Networks and Related Topics 
653 |a Forecasting 
653 |a Forecasting and Other Model Applications 
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700 1 |a Ter-Martirosyan, Anna 
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520 |a Forecasting macroeconomic variables is key to developing a view on a country's economic outlook. Most traditional forecasting models rely on fitting data to a pre-specified relationship between input and output variables, thereby assuming a specific functional and stochastic process underlying that process. We pursue a new approach to forecasting by employing a number of machine learning algorithms, a method that is data driven, and imposing limited restrictions on the nature of the true relationship between input and output variables. We apply the Elastic Net, SuperLearner, and Recurring Neural Network algorithms on macro data of seven, broadly representative, advanced and emerging economies and find that these algorithms can outperform traditional statistical models, thereby offering a relevant addition to the field of economic forecasting