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A Real-Time Data Set for Switzerland

Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics volume 150, pages 331–352 (2014)Cite this article

Summary

Accessibility of real-time data is crucial for applied macroeconomic researchers who aim at evaluating forecasts, policy decisions or the accuracy of initial data estimates. To the extent of our knowledge, no appropriate and comprehensive real-time data set has been published for Switzerland so far. This paper introduces such a data set, which can be downloaded online. The balanced database includes quarterly, seasonally adjusted vintages of the most important economic variables on the national level. A short analysis of data revisions is provided for quarterly GDP. The magnitude of revisions are comparable to other countries such as the Euro Area or the United States. However, revision policy may differ considerably and potentially influence a statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, University of Bern, Switzerland

    Ronald Indergand & Stefan Leist

Authors
  1. Ronald Indergand
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  2. Stefan Leist
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ronald Indergand.

Additional information

This project was supported by the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs, Switzerland (SECO). The views and opinions expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the SECO. Particular thanks go to Bernhard Weber (SECO) who kindly provided us with historical vintages of Swiss employment. We are also very grateful to Isabel Martinez, Klaus Neusser, Bruno Parnisari, Christoph Sax and Peter Steiner who supported us during several stages of the project.

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Indergand, R., Leist, S. A Real-Time Data Set for Switzerland. Swiss J Economics Statistics 150, 331–352 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03399410

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03399410

JEL-Classification

  • C82
  • E30

Keywords

  • real-time data
  • data revisions