Government Subsidies: Concepts, International Trends, and Reform Options

Author/Editor:

Gerd Schwartz ; Réjane Hugounenq ; Benedict J. Clements

Publication Date:

September 1, 1995

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper addresses the problems of defining and measuring government subsidies, examines why and how government subsidies are used as a fiscal policy tool, assesses their economic effects, appraises international empirical evidence on government subsidies, and offers options for their reform. Recent international trends in government subsidy expenditure are analyzed for the 16-year period from 1975 to 1990, using general government subsidy data for 60 countries from the System of National Accounts (SNA) and central government expenditure on subsidies and other current transfers for 68 countries from Government Finance Statistics (GFS). The paper reviews major policy options for subsidy reform, focusing on ways to improve the cost-effectiveness of subsidy programs.

Series:

Working Paper No. 1995/091

Subject:

Budget planning and preparation Economic and financial statistics Expenditure Government finance statistics Government subsidies National accounts Public financial management (PFM)

English

Publication Date:

September 1, 1995

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451851489/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0911995

Pages:

58

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