Expenditure Issues and Governance in Central America

IMF Working Papers, November 1, 2002

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Expenditure Issues and Governance in Central America

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Bibliographic details

• Authors: Ana Corbacho, Hamid R Davoodi
• Published: November 1, 2002
• Series: IMF Working Papers
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451859522.001

Summary

• This paper analyzes Central America's track record on inequality, poverty, and quality of fiscal adjustment in relation to:
  • economic growth;
  • health and education outcomes;
  • adequacy of social safety nets;
  • governance.
• It assesses the degree to which the track record can be traced to reforms in public expenditure and governance.
• Despite considerable heterogeneity among the countries in the region, there are some policies that all countries need to pursue: sustained growth, better quality of fiscal adjustment, policies aimed at increasing individuals' productivity, and improving governance.

Key findings and themes

• The analysis links inequality, poverty, and the quality of fiscal adjustment to outcomes in growth, health, education, social safety nets, and governance.
• Public expenditure and governance reforms are assessed as determinants of the region’s track record on these social and fiscal outcomes.
• Heterogeneity across Central American countries is emphasized; nevertheless, common policy priorities are identified.

Policy recommendations (high-level)

• Pursue sustained economic growth.
• Improve the quality of fiscal adjustment.
• Implement policies aimed at increasing individuals' productivity.
• Strengthen governance.

Content in this bundle

• Expenditure Issues and Governance in Central America - WP/02/187
  • Expenditure Issues and Governance in Central America - WP/02/187 (Markdown version)
  • Expenditure Issues and Governance in Central America - WP/02/187 (PDF)