Staff Reports
Markov Switching in Disaggregate Unemployment Rates
June 2001 Number 132
JEL classification: E24, C51

Authors: Marcelle Chauvet, Chinhui Juhn, and Simon Potter

We develop a dynamic factor model with Markov switching to examine secular and business cycle fluctuations in U.S. unemployment rates. We extract the common dynamics among unemployment rates disaggregated for seven age groups. The framework allows analysis of the contribution of demographic factors to secular changes in unemployment rates. In addition, it allows examination of the separate contribution of changes due to asymmetric business cycle fluctuations. We find strong evidence in favor of the common factor and of the switching between high and low unemployment rate regimes. We also find that demographic adjustments can account for a great deal of the secular change in the unemployment rate, particularly the abrupt increase in the 1970s and 1980s and the subsequent decrease.

Available only in PDFPDF34 pages / 260 kb

For a published version of this report, see Marcelle Chauvet, Chinhui Juhn, and Simon Potter, "Markov Switching in Diasaggregate Unemployment Rates," Empirical Economics27, no. 2 (2002): 205-32.

tools
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Statement. You can learn more about how we use cookies by reviewing our Privacy Statement.   Close