Does Higher Government Spending Buy Better Results in Education and Health Care?

Author/Editor:

Marijn Verhoeven ; Sanjeev Gupta ; Erwin H Tiongson

Publication Date:

February 1, 1999

Electronic Access:

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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:

There is little empirical evidence to support the claim that public spending improves education and health indicators. This paper uses cross-sectional data for 50 developing and transition countries to show that expenditure allocations within the two social sectors improve both access to and attainment in schools and reduce mortality rates for infants and children. The size and efficiency of these allocations are important for promoting equity and furthering second-generation reforms.

Series:

Working Paper No. 1999/021

Subject:

Education Education spending Expenditure Health Health care spending

English

Publication Date:

February 1, 1999

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451843897/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0211999

Pages:

25

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