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.
Fiscal Monitor 2024: Fiscal Policy in the Great Election Year
Chapter 1: Fiscal Policy in the Great Election Year
Chapter 1 of the Fiscal Monitor the chapter highlights heightened risks to public finances given potential distortions from a record number of elections this year in the context of elevated public debt, still-high interest rates, and slowing growth prospects. Decisive fiscal consolidation efforts are needed to safeguard sustainable finances, while protecting the most vulnerable.
Large fiscal deficits and elevated debt levels call for greater fiscal prudence, but political forces are pulling in the opposite way
With elevated debt service squeezing the space available to finance much needed investment in many countries, urgent action is needed to boost fiscal space, maintain adequate international support, and reduce debt servicing costs.
Agreements taking shape at a faster pace are reducing uncertainty for countries and investors.
Governments should stay the course on fiscal consolidation amid mounting debt.
Domestic laws need updating to ensure that public obligations are transparent
Higher long-term real interest rates, lower growth, and higher debt will put pressure on medium-term fiscal trends and financial stability
Digital Solutions Guidelines for Public Financial Management
The Use of Mirror Data by Customs Administrations: From Principles to Practice
Building Tax Capacity in Developing Countries
Transforming Public Finance Through GovTech
How to Combat Value-Added Tax Refund Fraud
The Political Economy of GovTech
Cryptocarbon: How Much Is the Corrective Tax?
The Role of Structural Fiscal Policy on Female Labor Force Participation in OECD Countries
IMF Fossil Fuel Subsidies Data: 2023 Update
Fiscal Policy and the Government Balance Sheet in China
International Tax Spillovers and Tangible Investment, with Implications for the Global Minimum Tax
Taxing Cryptocurrencies
Sri Lanka: Technical Assistance Report-Governance Diagnostic Assessment
Republic of Armenia: Review of Tax Expenditures
Cyprus: Technical Assistance Report–Strengthening the Governance and Oversight of State-Owned Enterprises
Maldives: Developing a Legal, Policy and Operational Framework for the Sovereign Development Fund
Rwanda: Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment–PIMA and Climate PIMA
Guatemala: Technical Assistance Report-Fiscal Transparency Evaluation
Digital Solutions Guidelines for Public Financial Management
The Use of Mirror Data by Customs Administrations: From Principles to Practice
Building Tax Capacity in Developing Countries
Transforming Public Finance Through GovTech
How to Combat Value-Added Tax Refund Fraud
The Political Economy of GovTech
Cryptocarbon: How Much Is the Corrective Tax?
The Role of Structural Fiscal Policy on Female Labor Force Participation in OECD Countries
IMF Fossil Fuel Subsidies Data: 2023 Update
Fiscal Policy and the Government Balance Sheet in China
International Tax Spillovers and Tangible Investment, with Implications for the Global Minimum Tax
Taxing Cryptocurrencies
Sri Lanka: Technical Assistance Report-Governance Diagnostic Assessment
Republic of Armenia: Review of Tax Expenditures
Cyprus: Technical Assistance Report–Strengthening the Governance and Oversight of State-Owned Enterprises
Maldives: Developing a Legal, Policy and Operational Framework for the Sovereign Development Fund
Rwanda: Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment–PIMA and Climate PIMA
Guatemala: Technical Assistance Report-Fiscal Transparency Evaluation
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
First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath joined Washington Post's Heather Long for a fireside chat about fiscal policies in the age of AI | Monday, June 17, 9:00 AM ET
The report takes stock of mitigation policies across countries and presents the trilemma facing policymakers of balancing between achieving climate goals, debt sustainability, and political feasibility. (Wednesday, October 11, 2023)
This panel explores the broad agenda for strengthening domestic revenue mobilization in developing countries to help attain the Sustainable Development Goals.
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".
