MET Seminar - RStefan Trautmann (Heidelberg, Tilburg)
| Dates: | 25 February 2026 |
| Times: | 17:00 - 18:00 |
| What is it: | Seminar |
| Organiser: | School of Social Sciences |
| Who is it for: | University staff, Current University students |
|
Title: A choice-based approach to the measurement of inflation expectations
Authors: Olga Goldfayn-Franka, Pascal Kieren, Stefan Trautmann
Abstract: Economists widely rely on measures of inflation expectations and uncertainty elicited via density forecasts. This approach, which asks respondents to assign probabilities to pre-specified ranges, has proven highly informative, but also faced criticism in recent periods of elevated and volatile inflation. We propose a new method to elicit the full distribution of inflation expectations, which is rooted in decision theory and can be implemented in standard surveys. In two large surveys and a laboratory experiment, we demonstrate that the proposed method leads to well-defined expectations that fulfil both subjective and objective quality criteria. The method is neither perceived as more difficult nor does it take more time to complete compared to the current standard. In contrast to density forecasts, the method is robust to differences in the state of the economy and thus allows comparisons across time and across countries. The method is portable and can be applied to elicit different macroeconomic expectations.
Contact: sophie.kreutzkamp@manchester.ac.uk
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
Williamson_4.08 Seminar Room
Williamson Building
Manchester