Original Research

A dynamic, stochastic, Bayesian, provincial input–output model for the South African economy

Douglas J. Crookes
South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences | Vol 27, No 1 | a5069 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v27i1.5069 | © 2024 Douglas J. Crookes | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 07 March 2023 | Published: 31 January 2024

About the author(s)

Douglas J. Crookes, School of Public Leadership, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The green economy has long been important in public discourses, as has been the forecasting of macroeconomic phenomena.

Aim: The purpose with this study was to construct a regional input–output model for the South African economy.

Setting: The model is a coupled input–output/system dynamics model. It is dynamic in the sense that sector growth follows the ‘limits to growth’ hypothesis. The model is used to explore the impact on the green economy, and also on poverty indices.

Method: It was constructed using Vensim®, a system dynamics modelling package. Bayesian methods were utilised to estimate realistic values for the multipliers. Type I multipliers for output, income, employment and gross value added (GVA) are estimated. The model was then ‘tested’ by forecasting various resource sectors’ GVA (i.e. agriculture, mining, water, electricity).

Results: The model fits the historical data well, replicating provincial GVA as well as national GVA to an acceptable standard. The multipliers fell within appropriate ranges, and followed a priori expectations.

Conclusion: The model provides ‘highly accurate’ forecasts of various macroeconomic parameters, including the resources sectors. The impact of different multipliers in the three resources sectors on various poverty indices in South Africa was also assessed.

Contribution: The model has great potential for further use in the agricultural, energy and resource sectors, but also has wider application since it provides a means for generating an input– output table for any specific year based on the forecasting of input – output elements.


Keywords

Vensim; input– output; limits to growth; forecast accuracy; poverty indicators; resources; multipliers; System dynamics

JEL Codes

C02: Mathematical Methods; C67: Input–Output Models; D57: Input–Output Tables and Analysis; O13: Agriculture • Natural Resources • Energy • Environment • Other Primary Products

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 1: No poverty

Metrics

Total abstract views: 1326
Total article views: 1558

 

Crossref Citations

1. Leontief Model-Based Research on the Input Structure of Three Industries: A Markowitz Optimization Perspective
Hong Wang
Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences  vol: 9  issue: 1  year: 2024  
doi: 10.2478/amns-2024-1852