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Evaluating the Eurosystem/ECB staff macroeconomic projections: The first 20 years

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  • G. Kontogeorgos
  • K. Lambrias

Abstract

This work marks a thorough analysis of a confidential real‐time dataset consisting of the Eurosystem/ECB staff macroeconomic projections since their existence. By applying techniques widely employed in the literature of forecast evaluation, we examine their statistical properties with a special emphasis on optimality and rationality. Long‐term GDP projections are biased (tendency to overpredict), do not fully account for available information, and are outperformed by private sector expectations. Inflation projections are optimal and rational on a full‐sample analysis; however, subsample analysis reveals two distinct periods with a persistent and significant bias. Before the financial crisis inflation was persistently underpredicted, while in post‐2013, the bias reverses into overprediction.

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  • G. Kontogeorgos & K. Lambrias, 2022. "Evaluating the Eurosystem/ECB staff macroeconomic projections: The first 20 years," Journal of Forecasting, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(2), pages 213-229, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jforec:v:41:y:2022:i:2:p:213-229
    DOI: 10.1002/for.2804
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    2. Granziera, Eleonora & Jalasjoki, Pirkka & Paloviita, Maritta, 2024. "The bias of the ECB inflation projections: A State-dependent analysis," Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers 4/2024, Bank of Finland.
    3. Eleni Argiri & Stephen G. Hall & Angeliki Momtsia & Daphne Marina Papadopoulou & Ifigeneia Skotida & George S. Tavlas & Yongli Wang, 2024. "An evaluation of the inflation forecasting performance of the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Bank of England," Journal of Forecasting, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(4), pages 932-947, July.
    4. Anttonen, Jetro & Laine, Olli-Matti, 2024. "Forecasting inflation: A comparison of the ECB's short-term inflation projections and inflation-linked swaps," BoF Economics Review 8/2024, Bank of Finland.
    5. Goodhart, C. A. E. & Pradhan, Manoj, 2023. "A snapshot of Central Bank (two year) forecasting: a mixed picture," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 118680, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Glas, Alexander & Heinisch, Katja, 2023. "Conditional macroeconomic survey forecasts: Revisions and errors," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    7. Conrad, Christian & Enders, Zeno, 2024. "Die Grenzen der EZB-Prognosen," Working Papers 0747, University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics.

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