A Bayesian semiparametric approach for trend–seasonal interaction: an application to migration forecasts. (14th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Milivinti, Alice; Benini, Giacomo
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. Volume 182:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 805
• Page End: 830
• Publication Date: 2018-12-14
• Subjects: Bayesian forecast -- Immigration -- Semiparametric approach -- Trend–seasonal interaction; Social sciences -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; Statistics -- Periodicals; 300.15195
• DOI: 10.1111/rssa.12436
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-1998

Abstract

Summary: We model complex trend–seasonal interactions within a Bayesian framework. The contribution divides into two parts. First, it proves, via a set of simulations, that a semiparametric specification of the interplay between the seasonal cycle and the global time trend outperforms parametric and non‐parametric alternatives when the seasonal behaviour is represented by Fourier series of order bigger than 1. Second, the paper uses a Bayesian framework to forecast Swiss immigration, merging the simulations' outcome with a set of priors derived from alternative hypotheses about the future number of incomers. The result is an effective symbiosis between Bayesian probability and semiparametric flexibility that can reconcile past observations with unprecedented expectations.