Regional Beveridge Curves: A Latent Variable Approach

D<sc>ixon</sc> R., L<sc>im</sc> G. C. and F<sc>reebairn</sc> J. Regional Beveridge curves: a latent variable approach, <italic>Regional Studies</italic>. This paper applies an unobserved components model to a panel of Australian data to identify the direction and timing of the shifts in regional Beveridge curves. The approach identifies a common factor while allowing for region-specific effects. The common factor that drives the relationship between regional unemployment and vacancy rates is extracted and it is then related to various explanatory variables. The contribution of common shocks to fluctuations in regional unemployment ranges from 18% to 68%. The paper demonstrates the usefulness of a latent variable approach and, in relation to policy, the findings suggest the need for an explicit regional policy to tackle unemployment in Australia.