Subscribe To This Journal

Subscriber Access Request

ISSN Print 1611-6607

ISSN Online 1865-5122

< Previous Article
Volume 55, Issue 2 (April 2009)
Nikolaos Askitas and Klaus F Zimmermann (2009). Google Econometrics and Unemployment Forecasting. Applied Economics Quarterly: Vol. 55, No. 2, pp. 107-120.
doi: 10.3790/aeq.55.2.107

Google Econometrics and Unemployment Forecasting

Nikolaos Askitas,

Nikolaos Askitas, Bonn University, IZA, 53072 Bonn, Germany.

Klaus F. Zimmermann

Klaus F. Zimmermann, Bonn University, IZA, 53072 Bonn, Germany, and DIW Berlin, Germany.



Abstract

The current economic crisis requires fast information to predict economic behavior early, which is difficult at times of structural changes. This paper suggests an innovative new method of using data on internet activity for that purpose. It demonstrates strong correlations between keyword searches and unemployment rates using monthly German data and exhibits a strong potential for the method used.

JEL Classification: C22, C82, E17, E24, E37