A Comparative Analysis of Government Social Spending Indicators and Their Correlation with Social Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa
IMF Working Papers, October 1, 2002
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- A Comparative Analysis of Government Social Spending Indicators and Their Correlation with Social Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Bibliographic details
- Authors: Paulo Silva Lopes
- Published: October 1, 2002
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451858822.001
Summary and Main Finding
- This paper analyzes trends in social indicators in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and their correlation with the three most widely used scaled measures of government social spending: in per capita terms, as a percentage of GDP, and as a percentage of total government expenditure.
- Cross-country statistical analysis shows:
- Spending in per capita terms is of some relevance to social outcomes.
- Spending as a percent of GDP is of some relevance to social outcomes.
- The share of social spending in total government expenditure is not of relevance to social outcomes.
- The analysis is based on a regional data set matching health and education outcome indicators with government spending on those sectors.
Data, Scope, and Methodology (as described)
- Regional data set matching health and education outcome indicators with government spending on those sectors.
- Cross-country statistical analysis used to test correlations between spending measures and social outcomes.
Policy Implications
- Findings have implications for:
- Governments in sub-Saharan Africa regarding prioritization and scaling of social spending.
- The international donor community for its role in supporting social programs in SSA.
- Implicit policy focus:
- Emphasize increasing per capita social spending and social spending as a percent of GDP where feasible.
- Reconsider reliance on the share of social spending in budgetary allocations as an indicator of likely social outcomes.