## Operational Guidance Note for IMF Engagement on Social Spending Issues

_Policy Papers, April 30, 2024_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Operational Guidance Note for IMF Engagement on Social Spending Issues](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2024/04/30/operational-guidance-note-for-imf-engagement-on-social-spending-issues-548431)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2024/04/30/operational-guidance-note-for-imf-engagement-on-social-spending-issues-548431/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2024/04/30/operational-guidance-note-for-imf-engagement-on-social-spending-issues-548431/index.json)
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## Bibliographic details
- Published: April 30, 2024
- Series: Policy Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400272271.007

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### Overview and Purpose
- Provides general guidance on the operationalization of the strategy for IMF engagement on social spending.
- Builds on a series of notes on IMF engagement on specific social spending issues since the publication of the 2019 strategy paper.
- Provides operational guidance on when and how to engage on social spending issues in the contexts of:
  - surveillance,
  - IMF-supported programs,
  - capacity development.

### Role and Functions of Social Spending (Findings)
- Social spending is a key lever for promoting inclusive growth.
- Addresses inequality and protects vulnerable groups during structural change and adjustment.
- Smooths consumption over the lifecycle.
- Stabilizes demand during economic shocks.
- Plays an important role in tackling structural challenges associated with:
  - demographic shifts,
  - gender inequality,
  - technological advances,
  - climate change.

### Operational Focus Areas (Guidance Themes)
- When to engage: criteria and timing for IMF engagement on social spending issues (as applied across surveillance, programs, and capacity development).
- How to engage: modalities and approaches tailored to surveillance, IMF-supported programs, and capacity development.
- Emphasis on integrating social spending analysis into broader fiscal and macroeconomic assessments.

### Subject Areas and Keywords
- Subject: Education, Education spending, Expenditure, Health care spending, Monetary policy, Political economy
- Keywords: education, Education spending, fiscal sustainability, health, Health care spending, IMF capacity development, pensions, social safety nets, social spending, social spending conditionality, social spending floor, spending adequacy, spending efficiency, spending issue, Sub-Saharan Africa, transparency policy, West Africa

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## Content in this bundle

- **Policy Paper**
  - [Policy Paper (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/pp/2024/english/ppea2024022.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Policy Paper (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/pp/2024/english/ppea2024022.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2024/04/30/operational-guidance-note-for-imf-engagement-on-social-spending-issues-548431_