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Macrofinancial Causes of Optimism in Growth Forecasts

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  • Mr. Yan Carriere-Swallow
  • José Marzluf

Abstract

We analyze the causes of the apparent bias towards optimism in growth forecasts underpinning the design of IMF-supported programs, which has been documented in the literature. We find that financial variables observable to forecasters are strong predictors of growth forecast errors. The greater the expansion of the credit-to-GDP gap in the years preceding a program, the greater its over-optimism about growth over the next two years. This result is strongest among forecasts that were most optimistic, where errors are also increasing in the economy’s degree of liability dollarization. We find that the inefficient use of financial information applies to growth forecasts more broadly, including the IMF’s forecasts in the World Economic Outlook and those produced by professional forecasters compiled by Consensus Economics. We conclude that improved macrofinancial analysis represents a promising avenue for reducing over-optimism in growth forecasts.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Yan Carriere-Swallow & José Marzluf, 2021. "Macrofinancial Causes of Optimism in Growth Forecasts," IMF Working Papers 2021/275, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2021/275
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    Cited by:

    1. Eicher, Theo S. & Kawai, Reina, 2023. "IMF trade forecasts for crisis countries: Bias, inefficiency, and their origins," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 1615-1639.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Macroeconomic forecasting; Financial markets and the macroeconomy; Credit growth; IMF's forecast; credit-to-GDP gap; growth forecast; program approval; MONA database; surveillance activity; Fiscal consolidation; Credit; Credit booms; Production growth; Fiscal multipliers; Global;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • F33 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Monetary Arrangements and Institutions
    • F37 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Finance Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications

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