Fiscal Monitor, April 2021: A Fair Shot

Fiscal Monitor, April 7, 2021

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The report overviews countries fiscal actions in response to COVID-19 and discusses how governments policies should adapt to get ahead of the pandemic and set the stage for a greener, fairer, and more durable recovery.
Global vaccination should be scaled up as it can save lives and will eventually pay for itself with stronger employment and economic activity.
Until the pandemic is brought under control globally, fiscal policies must remain flexible and supportive, while keeping debt at a manageable level over the long term.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated inequalities—especially in access to basic public services—and these inequalities may cause income gaps to persist.

Adopt comprehensive policies, embedded in medium-term frameworks, to tackle inequalities.
Invest in education, healthcare and early childhood development to strengthen lifetime opportunities.
Strengthen social safety nets financed through improved tax capacity and higher progressivity to improve trust and contribute to more social cohesion.
Scale up global vaccination as a priority, given its potential to save lives and yield stronger employment and economic activity.

Subject areas: COVID-19, Education, Expenditure, Health, Income, Income inequality, Monetary policy, National accounts, Public debt.
Keywords used: Africa, COVID-19, Global, government cash transfer, government support, Income, income group, Income inequality, Middle East, nonfinancial firm, North Africa, response tracker.

International Monetary Fund. Fiscal Monitor, April 2021: A Fair Shot.