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Measuring the Unmeasurable: Unraveling the complexities of real-time output gap estimation

Author

Listed:
  • Karen L. Pulido-Mahecha
  • Sergio Restrepo-Ángel
  • Franky Juliano Galeano-Ramírez

Abstract

This paper evaluates seven output gap models for real-time estimates, based on three criteria: stability of estimations on new observations, data revisions and/or methodological changes; inflation forecasting accuracy; and potential output response to structural economic shocks. Results confirm no single model outperforms across all criteria. Structural VARs exhibit superior inflation forecasts but show high instability, while semi-structural models produce more theoretically consistent potential output responses. To overcome this trade-off, we propose a novel clustering approach to pool models based on their real-time performance, yielding improved estimates. Our findings highlight the value of this method for enhancing real-time output gap measurement and informing monetary policy decisions. **** RESUMEN: Este artículo evalúa siete modelos de brecha de producto para estimaciones en tiempo-real, con base en tres criterios: estabilidad de las estimaciones ante nuevas observaciones, revisiones de datos y/o cambios metodológicos; precisión en el pronóstico de inflación y la respuesta del producto potencial ante choques económicos estructurales. Los resultados confirman que ningún modelo lidera en todos los criterios. Los VAR estructurales exhiben los mejores pronósticos de inflación, pero muestran una alta inestabilidad, mientras que los modelos semiestructurales producen respuestas de producto potencial teóricamente más consistentes. Para superar este trade-off, proponemos un nuevo enfoque de agrupación para construir conjuntos de modelos en función de su rendimiento en tiempo-real con el fin de obtener mejores estimaciones. Nuestros hallazgos resaltan el valor de este método para mejorar la medición de la brecha del producto en tiempo real e informar mejor las decisiones de política monetaria.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen L. Pulido-Mahecha & Sergio Restrepo-Ángel & Franky Juliano Galeano-Ramírez, 2024. "Measuring the Unmeasurable: Unraveling the complexities of real-time output gap estimation," Borradores de Economia 1284, Banco de la Republica de Colombia.
  • Handle: RePEc:bdr:borrec:1284
    DOI: 10.32468/be.1284
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    output gaps; real-time estimation; business cycles; brecha del producto; estimación en tiempo real; ciclos reales;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns

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