Fiscal Policies
Fiscal policy affects macroeconomic stability, growth, and income distribution. Citizens expect their governments to ensure value-for-money for public spending, a fair and efficient tax system, and transparent and accountable management of public sector resources.
The IMF has been a leading source of fiscal policy and management expertise worldwide. The IMF monitors and analyzes global fiscal trends and advises IMF member countries on fiscal issues directly. This page highlights the main fiscal policy issues currently under discussion, as well as provides links to research, publications, and commentary.
2026 updates: The IMF’s World Revenue Longitudinal Database (WoRLD)
Fiscal Monitor October 2025: Spending Smarter: How Efficient and Well-Allocated Public Spending Can Boost Economic Growth
Chapter 1 of the Fiscal Monitor Chapter 1 explores how governments can improve economic growth prospects by enhancing the efficiency and composition of public spending, while keeping the overall spending envelope unchanged.
Spending more efficiently and reallocating public funds toward investment and innovation can be a powerful growth strategy
Prudent anchors, corrective mechanisms, and supportive institutions can help countries comply with their fiscal rules and commit to sound public finances
Decline in private lending offsets increase in public borrowing; notable differences persist across countries and income groups.
Greater debt transparency builds investor confidence, helps reduce borrowing costs, and strengthens debt sustainability—reducing the risk of shocks that can lead to a debt crisis
Fiscal Policy under mounting uncertainty means government budgets need resilience—particularly in countries whose economic weight makes them influence global trends
Stronger regional economic ties can help build resilience during a time of growing policy uncertainty
A Guide and Tool for Projecting Public Gross Financing NeedsBroadening the Gains from Generative AI: The Role of Fiscal PoliciesIMF Engagement on Health Spending Issues in Surveillance and Program WorkTransforming Public Finance Through GovTechHow to Combat Value-Added Tax Refund FraudThe Political Economy of GovTech
Understanding the Macroeconomic Effects of Natural DisastersStrengthening Fiscal Frameworks in the Presence of Rising Risk of Natural Disasters Shocks and Shields: Macroeconomic Institutions During Commodity Price SwingsThe Urgency of Conflict Prevention – A Macroeconomic PerspectiveThe Urgency of Conflict Prevention – A Macroeconomic Perspective 
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Technical Assistance to Develop a Macroeconomic Framework at the Central Bank Mongolia: Ministry of Finance Macroeconomic Framework Technical Assistance: Scoping Mission Report Panama: Fiscal Transparency Evaluation Angola: Strengthening the Forecasting and Policy Analysis System on the Transition to Inflation TargetingColombia: Autonomous Committee for the Fiscal Rule Macroeconomic Framework Technical Assistance: Scoping Mission Report Mauritania: Technical Assistance Project on Public Debt Projections and Analysis: Scoping Mission A Guide and Tool for Projecting Public Gross Financing NeedsBroadening the Gains from Generative AI: The Role of Fiscal PoliciesIMF Engagement on Health Spending Issues in Surveillance and Program WorkTransforming Public Finance Through GovTechHow to Combat Value-Added Tax Refund FraudThe Political Economy of GovTechUnderstanding the Macroeconomic Effects of Natural DisastersStrengthening Fiscal Frameworks in the Presence of Rising Risk of Natural Disasters Shocks and Shields: Macroeconomic Institutions During Commodity Price SwingsThe Urgency of Conflict Prevention – A Macroeconomic PerspectiveThe Urgency of Conflict Prevention – A Macroeconomic Perspective Bosnia and Herzegovina: Technical Assistance to Develop a Macroeconomic Framework at the Central Bank Mongolia: Ministry of Finance Macroeconomic Framework Technical Assistance: Scoping Mission Report Panama: Fiscal Transparency Evaluation Angola: Strengthening the Forecasting and Policy Analysis System on the Transition to Inflation TargetingColombia: Autonomous Committee for the Fiscal Rule Macroeconomic Framework Technical Assistance: Scoping Mission Report Mauritania: Technical Assistance Project on Public Debt Projections and Analysis: Scoping Mission 
