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.
Taming inflation requires slowing down demand. While monetary policy has played its part, lowering fiscal deficits would also help lessen the cost-of-living crisis.
Following exceptional pandemic support, governments should foster disinflation and financial stability while protecting the most vulnerable and safeguarding public finances
Smart fiscal policy can help restore price stability and lessen the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
Early rollout of climate-mitigation strategies will help countries meet their Paris Agreement commitments and smooth the low-carbon transition
Countries should prioritize protecting the vulnerable through targeted support while keeping a tight fiscal stance to help fight inflation
High debt and rising interest rates put a premium on improved governance to anchor fiscal policy in EU member states.
Getting on Track to Net Zero: Accelerating a Global Just Transition in This Decade
Climate Change and Select Financial Instruments: An Overview of Opportunities and Challenges for Sub-Saharan Africa
How to Make the Management of Public Finances Climate-Sensitive–“Green PFM”
How to Evaluate Tax Expenditures
The Return to Fiscal Rules
IMF Engagement on Social Safety Net Issues in Surveillance and Program Work
The State as Financier of Last Resort
How to Design and Institutionalize Spending Reviews
How to Cut Methane Emissions
North Macedonia: Technical Assistance Report - Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability Performance Assessment
Republic of Poland: Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment
Georgia: Technical Assistance Report-Updating the Balance Sheet and Quantifying Fiscal Risks From Climate Change
Montenegro: Technical Assistance Report - Public Investment Management Assessment
Maldives: Technical Assistance Report-Modernizing the Goods and Services Tax
Romania: Technical Assistance Report on Improving Revenues from the Recurrent Property Tax
Romania: Technical Assistance Report on Reforming Personal Income Taxation
United Kingdom: Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment: Climate Change Module
United Kingdom: Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment
Getting on Track to Net Zero: Accelerating a Global Just Transition in This Decade
Climate Change and Select Financial Instruments: An Overview of Opportunities and Challenges for Sub-Saharan Africa
How to Make the Management of Public Finances Climate-Sensitive–“Green PFM”
How to Evaluate Tax Expenditures
The Return to Fiscal Rules
IMF Engagement on Social Safety Net Issues in Surveillance and Program Work
The State as Financier of Last Resort
How to Design and Institutionalize Spending Reviews
How to Cut Methane Emissions
North Macedonia: Technical Assistance Report - Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability Performance Assessment
Republic of Poland: Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment
Georgia: Technical Assistance Report-Updating the Balance Sheet and Quantifying Fiscal Risks From Climate Change
Montenegro: Technical Assistance Report - Public Investment Management Assessment
Maldives: Technical Assistance Report-Modernizing the Goods and Services Tax
Romania: Technical Assistance Report on Improving Revenues from the Recurrent Property Tax
Romania: Technical Assistance Report on Reforming Personal Income Taxation
United Kingdom: Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment: Climate Change Module
United Kingdom: Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment
Fiscal Monitor Database of Country Fiscal Measures in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Global Debt Database
Fiscal Decentralization Database
International Survey on Revenue Administrations
Fiscal Monitor Database
Fiscal Crises Database
Public Finances in Modern History Database
How to Cut Methane Emissions
Our latest Back to Basics video explains what is public debt and the risks and benefits involved when governments borrow.
The theme of this year’s Richard Goode Lecture is “Innovation, Experimentation, and Economics” presented by Professor Michael Kremer.
Climate change is taking its toll on the world. For decades, CAPDR countries have felt the full force of these events with limited resources and capacity. Is resiliency the answer to protecting the region?
Watch the 2nd session of the IMF-UTokyo CARF Policy Conference "Managing Financial Risks in a Shock Prone World".
The global economy is slowing amid continued tight financing conditions, announced Vitor Gaspar, Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department at the IMF today (Wednesday, October 12, 2022) in Washington, DC.
Press briefing and launch of our October 2022 issue of the Fiscal Monitor.
