Publication: Public Expenditure Policies in Southeast Europe
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2007-11
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2012-06-14
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The countries of Southeastern Europe (SEE) and the province of Kosovo (thereafter, Kosovo) have undergone a significant, though difficult, transition over the past decade. Series of conflicts in the region have complicated the transition process, which in the initial phase focused on macroeconomic stabilization and reconstruction. Helped by macroeconomic stability and efforts in advancing structural reforms, real Gross Domestic Product, or GDP growth in region has picked up this century, averaging 5.8 percent during 2000-2006, although it has still lagged the pace in both the more advanced reformers and the average for emerging Asia. In addition to boosting living standards, the SEE countries' shared aspiration to advance European Union (EU) integration has been increasingly shaping the reform agenda. This report reviews the level, composition and outcomes of government spending and distills some of the lessons that emerge from efforts by the SEE countries in reforming expenditure policies. The report identifies key remaining challenges and proposes a broad menu of options in further reforms of sectors that account for the largest shares of public spending across the countries, and where reforms are likely to have significant budgetary implications. This has motivated the choice of sectors discussed in the report: social protection (including pensions), health, education, public administration and infrastructure.
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“World Bank. 2007. Public Expenditure Policies in Southeast Europe. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/8066 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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Publication Public Expenditure Policies in Southeast Europe(2008)This report reviews the level, composition and outcomes of government spending and distills some of the lessons that emerge from efforts by the Southeast Europe (SEE) countries in reforming expenditure policies. The report identifies key remaining challenges and proposes a broad menu of options in further reforms of sectors that account for the largest shares of public spending across the countries, and where reforms are likely to have significant budgetary implications. 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Given the important role that municipalities and republican cities play in the delivery of social services, the chapter three of volume two provides an in depth examination of local government finances and spending. Local authorities (municipalities and republican cities) play such a prominent role in the delivery of public services particularly social services that a close look at the character of their spending is critical.Publication El Gasto Tributario en Colombia(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2012-06-01)El presente estudio forma parte de un programa de servicios de conocimiento programático ofrecido por el Banco Mundial. El objetivo global de esta iniciativa, preparada por el Departamento de Política Pública en la región de América Latina y el Caribe (LCSPE), es el fortalecimiento de la política fiscal y del crecimien¬to económico. Uno de sus principios más importantes es la flexibilidad de su contenido, considerando las demandas del cliente. 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The large macroeconomic imbalances observed in 2005-08 had been corrected by 2010 with relatively little negative impact on growth relative to other EU10 countries. Since late 2010 Bulgaria's recovery has been driven by net exports; investment and consumption are recovering more slowly. As long as the economic environment remains favorable and structural reforms are implemented as planned, the economy should reach and even exceed its pre-crisis level in 2012. This report is intended to inform policy makers, the international community, and civil society about Bulgaria's recent economic performance and its options for reforming public spending to enhance competitiveness and growth. It first reviews Bulgaria's growth strategy and its fiscal adjustment over the last several years and the medium-term challenges it confronts. The report then analyzes Bulgaria's export performance to identify comparative advantages and outline policy options to enhance competitiveness in the medium term. 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