VAR Model with Sparse Group LASSO for Multi-population Mortality Forecasting

Tim J. Boonen and Yuhuai Chen

International Journal of Forecasting, 2026, vol. 42, issue 1, 259-280

Abstract: We introduce a spatial–temporally weighted vector autoregressive (SWVAR) model for modeling and forecasting mortality rates across multiple populations. First, we stack the mortality rates of the populations and build a vector autoregressive (VAR) model. Next, we apply the sparse group least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (sparse group LASSO) for fitting to avoid overparameterization. Furthermore, we integrate spatial–temporal weights, derived from age differences and geographic centroid distances, into the grouped penalty term. These approaches allow the resulting model to effectively combine information from multiple populations and reduce confounding factors associated with combined modeling. We demonstrate through a series of empirical experiments that the spatial–temporally weighted VAR model enhances estimation accuracy and exhibits superior in-sample fitting and out-of-sample forecasting performance.

Keywords: Mortality modeling; Forecasting; Multiple populations; Sparse group LASSO; Spatial–temporal weights (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:intfor:v:42:y:2026:i:1:p:259-280

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijforecast.2025.03.004

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