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International Monetary Fund

Macroeconometric Forecasting

International Monetary Fund via edX

Overview

In this macroeconomics course, you will learn to predict macroeconomic variables such as inflation, growth or consumption, and to create statistical models in economics and use them to predict responses to economic policy.

You will learn from hands-on demonstrations of model-building, forecasting and policy analysis, using data sets from a wide variety of countries. Demonstrations and applications will be conducted using EViews —a popular software for estimating and simulating forecasting models on Windows. Free, temporary licenses for EViews will be made available for the duration of the course.

Macroeconometric Forecasting is offered by the IMF with financial support from the Government of Japan.

Syllabus

Module 1: EViews Basics (Optional)
Review of the main EViews commands to manage data.

Module 2: Introduction to Forecasting with EViews
Introduction to the EViews model simulator to estimate and forecast multiple equation models.

Module 3: Statistical Properties of Times Series Data
The concept of stationarity is defined as well as how to test for it. Box-Jenkins (ARMA) methodology to study time series is introduced.

Module 4: Forecast Uncertainty and Model Evaluation
How best to choose between forecasts from competing models or sources. Participants will learn the main forecast evaluation statistics and how to calculate them in EViews.

Module 5: Vector Auto-Regressions (VARs)
Understand VARs, how they used for forecasting and structural analysis, and how to estimate a well-specified VAR and generate forecasts.

Module 6: Cointegration and Vector Error Correction Models (VECMs)
Define and understand the concept of cointegration among unit-root variables and its implications for forecasting. Learn how to test for cointegration using the Johansen method and how to estimate and forecast using a VECM.

Module 7: Evaluating Regressions Models
What does it mean to have a “good model” (model evaluation and key model assumptions) and the consequences for forecasting. Introduction to model testing and dealing with error irregularities and structural breaks.

Module 8: Final Assignment: Bringing It All Together
An overview of the techniques studied is provided using a case study focused on private saving-consumption behavior in the U.S. before and after the global financial crisis.

Reviews

3.0 rating, based on 2 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at edX based on 25 ratings

Start your review of Macroeconometric Forecasting

  • It is more a course about eviews than about macroeconometry.
    No macroeconomical intuition or reasoning whatsoever, 101 econometric level at best.
    Just a catalog of tricks, how to use an old software to calibrate 4 parameters models on 25 points and wonder if it performs better that naive and 0 intelligence predictions.

    Macroeconomical/macroeconometrical forecasting is more than knowing how to push buttons in eviews. Or it should be.

    Very disapointing
  • Anonymous
    Really good! One of the best from EDX MOOCs. 1. Professional macro-econometrics (using Eview)! 2. Very good teachers (economists from IMF)! 3. Interesting modules! I am waiting for more IMF courses.

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