Structural Regional Factors that Determine Absolute and Relative Accuracy of U.S. Regional Labor Market Forecasts

Panel data on regional employment forecasts from structural equation econometric models and time-series models are used to examine whether accuracy of the forecasts can be predicted, both absolutely and relatively. Specification of accuracy includes the time forecast was made, forecast horizon, and regional economic/demographic characteristics. The estimated model is able to predict accuracy of each forecast set at high step lengths but is less successful at low step lengths and is not successful at all in predicting relative accuracy. Regional characteristics are significant determinants of accuracy for both sets of forecasts, but the significant characteristics differ across methodologies and step lengths.