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United States of U-Star

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Abstract

This paper estimates state-level trend unemployment rates (trend U-star) based on the trend components of unemployment inflows and outflows across unemployment durations. The estimated trend U-stars, particularly the portions attributable to long-termunemployment, have levels and dynamics that vary substantially across states. Long-termunemployment makes a relatively small contribution to trend U-star in agricultural states, but takes a larger share for Rust Belt states and several states in the Sun Belt. While higher educational attainment and population aging put downward pressure on U-star, the effects of industrial structure and labor-market rigidities are mixed. Using the estimates of state-level trend U-star, we revisit previous work on state-level Phillips curves and find that the estimated slopes of forward-looking inflation equations are driven bymovements in trend U-star rather than by cyclical variation in the unemployment rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Hie Joo Ahn & Jeremy B. Rudd, 2026. "United States of U-Star," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2026-060, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgfe:103715
    DOI: 10.17016/FEDS.2026.060
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    JEL classification:

    • C41 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Duration Analysis; Optimal Timing Strategies
    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • E27 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure

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