{
  "title": "Measuring the Role of Subnational Governments",
  "publication": "IMF Working Papers, January 1, 1991",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/measuring-the-role-of-subnational-governments-880",
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  "summary": "To measure subnational governments, only external money flows are counted, excluding intra-level transactions in measuring a level of government and all intergovernmental transactions in measuring general government.",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Measurement approach",
      "content": "- Only external money flows are counted when measuring subnational governments; intra-level transactions are excluded when measuring a level of government.\n- All intergovernmental transactions are excluded when measuring general government.\n- Administered expenditures are measured net of grants given to other governments.\n- Financed expenditures are measured net of grants received."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Distinguishing functions for centralization metrics",
      "content": "- Control, finance, and administration should be distinguished in measuring centralization and each level’s share of general government.\n- Disparate decentralization across control, finance, and administration is a key focus for assessing the structure of government responsibilities."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Vertical imbalance metrics and implications",
      "content": "- Vertical imbalance is measured by:\n  - The portion of a government’s expenditures not covered by its own resources.\n  - The ratio of intergovernmental grants to total government expenditures.\n- Disparate decentralization of finance, control, and administration leads to vertical imbalance."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Subject coverage and keywords",
      "content": "- Subjects: Economic and financial statistics; Expenditure; General government spending; Government finance statistics; Public financial management (PFM); Revenue administration; Total expenditures.\n- Keywords include: Africa; General government spending; general govt; government; government activity; Government finance statistics; government operation; grantor government; majority government ownership; State govt; State govt.; supranational authorities; Total expenditures; WP.\n\n---\n\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/measuring-the-role-of-subnational-governments-880"
    }
  ],
  "bullets": [
    "[Markdown version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/measuring-the-role-of-subnational-governments-880/index.md)",
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    "Authors: Jonathan Levin",
    "Published: January 1, 1991",
    "Series: IMF Working Papers",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451842456.001",
    "Only external money flows are counted when measuring subnational governments; intra-level transactions are excluded when measuring a level of government.",
    "All intergovernmental transactions are excluded when measuring general government.",
    "Administered expenditures are measured net of grants given to other governments.",
    "Financed expenditures are measured net of grants received.",
    "Control, finance, and administration should be distinguished in measuring centralization and each level’s share of general government.",
    "Disparate decentralization across control, finance, and administration is a key focus for assessing the structure of government responsibilities.",
    "Vertical imbalance is measured by:",
    "Disparate decentralization of finance, control, and administration leads to vertical imbalance.",
    "Subjects: Economic and financial statistics; Expenditure; General government spending; Government finance statistics; Public financial management (PFM); Revenue administration; Total expenditures.",
    "Keywords include: Africa; General government spending; general govt; government; government activity; Government finance statistics; government operation; grantor government; majority government ownership; State govt; State govt.; supranational authorities; Total expenditures; WP."
  ],
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  "generatedAtUtc": "2026-09-17T06:58:17.641Z"
}