## Gender Budgeting in G7 Countries

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Gender Budgeting in G7 Countries](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2017/05/12/pp041917gender-budgeting-in-g7-countries)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2017/05/12/pp041917gender-budgeting-in-g7-countries/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2017/05/12/pp041917gender-budgeting-in-g7-countries/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2017/05/12/pp041917gender-budgeting-in-g7-countries/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: May 13, 2017

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### Purpose and scope
- Prepared by the IMF at the request of the Italian Presidency of the G7 as a contribution to the G7 initiative on equality.
- Provides an overview of gender-responsive budgeting concepts and practices in the G7 countries.
- Summarizes recent trends in gender equality in G7 and advanced countries, noting that while equality has improved overall, exceptions and gaps remain.
- Recognizes that many fiscal policies have gender-related implications and examines how fiscal policy and public financial management (PFM) institutions can address them.

### Fiscal policy instruments with gender impact
- Sets out the main fiscal policy instruments, both expenditure and tax, that have a significant impact on gender equality.
- Fiscal instruments of relevance highlighted include:
  - Use of tax and tax benefits to increase the supply of female labor.
  - Improved family benefits.
  - Subsidized child-care.
  - Other social benefits that increase the net return to women’s work.
  - Incentives for businesses to encourage the hiring of women.

### PFM institutions and analytical tools
- Provides a conceptual framework for PFM institutions that enable implementation of gender-responsive fiscal policies.
- Instruments and tools identified:
  - Gender budget statements.
  - Gender impact assessments.
  - Performance-related budget frameworks.
  - Gender audits.
- Ministries of finance are emphasized as especially important for promoting and coordinating gender budgeting and associated analytical tools.

### Assessment of G7 status and methodology
- Presents an assessment of the status of gender budgeting in the G7 countries.
- Methodology components:
  - IMF survey of PFM institutions and practices in the G7.
  - Comparator review of three relatively strong performers in gender-responsive budgeting: Austria, Belgium, and Spain.
  - Complementary use of other sources, including recent studies by the OECD and the World Bank.

### Main policy implications and conclusions
- Well-structured fiscal policies and sound PFM systems have the potential to contribute to gender equality, furthering the substantial progress already made by the G7 countries.
- While G7 countries have used a wide range of fiscal and non-fiscal policies to reduce gender inequalities, there has generally been less progress in developing effective gender-specific PFM institutions.
- Embedding a gender dimension in normal budgeting and policy-making routines varies across G7 countries and is not done systematically.
- Priority areas for policy design and PFM reform include integrating gender-aware analytical tools (listed above) into routine budgeting processes and strengthening the coordinating role of ministries of finance.

*Gender Budgeting in G7 Countries, May 13, 2017. Gender Budgeting in G7 Countries, (USA: International Monetary Fund, ) accessed 9/15/2026*

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## Content in this bundle

- **Policy Paper**
  - [Policy Paper (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/pp/pp041917gender-budgeting-in-g7-countries.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Policy Paper (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/pp/pp041917gender-budgeting-in-g7-countries.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2017/05/12/pp041917gender-budgeting-in-g7-countries_