Connect with IMF Institute
General Macroeconomic Analysis

Nowcasting (NWC)

Deadline passed

Session No.: JV 25.02

Location: Vienna, Austria

Date: January 13-24, 2025 (2 weeks)

Delivery Method: In-person Training

Primary Language: English

    Target Audience

    Junior and middle-level officials from ministries of finance, central banks, and other interested public institutions. 

    Back to top

    Qualifications

    Participants are expected to have an advanced degree in economics or equivalent experience, a basic understanding of time-series econometrics and be comfortable using EViews (econometric software package). It is strongly recommended that applicants have completed a few general macroeconomic courses, such as Macroeconomic Forecasting and Analysis (MFA), Macroeconomic Diagnostic (MDS), face-to-face or online.

    Back to top

    Course Description

    This course, presented by the Institute for Capacity Development, provides participants with cutting-edge nowcasting tools that familiarize them with the concepts and methods to incorporate high-frequency economic indicators into the forecasting process, while integrating this training into technical assistance on data compilation and dissemination. Each topic is complemented by hands-on workshops and assignments designed to illuminate the steps required to formulate a nowcasting model and generate a nowcast. 

    Back to top

    Course Objectives

    Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

    • Understand and be proficient in the steps required to manage time-series data in EViews, estimate an OLS regression, and calculate its associated forecasts in EViews.
    • Formulate several useful statistical procedures in EViews, including consolidation of time series from higher to lower frequencies; interpolation techniques; seasonal adjustment; and use of leading indicators.
    • Identify appropriate high-frequency indicators and non-traditional data useful for nowcasting macroeconomic variables and prepare them for use in a nowcasting exercise.
    • Formulate and estimate nowcasting models using several approaches (such as Bridge, MIDAS, and U-MIDAS estimators, etc.).
    • Generate a nowcast from the base regression and consolidate competing forecasts using combination forecasts.
    • Evaluate the accuracy of the nowcast using several forecasting performance indicators.
    • Apply the nowcasting tools to their own country data and interpret the nowcast appropriately in policymaking settings.  
    Back to top

    Apply Now - Application deadline approaching:

    IMF offers online training to government officials and the public. Click Learn more to find our current offerings.

    Financial Development and Financial Inclusion (FDFI)

    English | October 20-24, 2025 | Blended Training | Vienna, Austria

    Apply online by July 20, 2025

    Model-Based Monetary Policy Analysis and Forecasting (MPAF)

    English | October 20-31, 2025 | Blended Training | Vienna, Austria

    Apply online by July 20, 2025

    Macroeconometric Forecasting and Analysis (MFA)

    English | September 15-26, 2025 | In-person Training | Dalian, China

    Apply online by July 20, 2025

    Fundamentals of Debt Reporting and Monitoring (DMIR)

    English | August 18-22, 2025 | In-person Training | New Delhi, India

    Apply online by July 20, 2025

    Big Data for Macroeconomic Statistics

    English | October 27-31, 2025 | In-person Training | Vienna, Austria

    Apply online by July 20, 2025