## Expenditure Conditionality in IMF-supported Programs

_IMF Working Papers, December 7, 2018_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Expenditure Conditionality in IMF-supported Programs](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2018/12/07/expenditure-conditionality-in-imf-supported-programs-46448)

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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Sanjeev Gupta, Michela Schena, Reza Yousefi
- Published: December 7, 2018
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484389072.001

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### Study scope and data
- Granular dataset compiled covering 115 countries for the 1992-2016 period.
- Paper length: 31 pages.
- Authors: Sanjeev Gupta, Michela Schena, Reza Yousefi.
- Publication: IMF Working Papers, Working Paper No. 2018/255 (Volume: 2018, Issue: 255).
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484389072.001
- ISBN: 9781484389072
- ISSN: 1018-5941

### Key findings on conditionality and spending composition
- Conditionality on specific elements of spending can help achieve a program’s short-term objectives.
- Structural conditionality delivers lasting benefits.
- Structural public financial management conditionality (examples: budget execution and control) has been effective in boosting the long-term level of:
  - education expenditures,
  - health expenditures,
  - public investment expenditures.
- Conditionality aimed at raising spending in these areas may come at the expense of other expenditures.
- Successful implementation (and not mere existence) of the conditionality is crucial for improved outcomes.

### Policy implications and relevance
- Structural public financial management reforms should be prioritized where the objective is durable increases in education, health, and public investment spending.
- Policymakers targeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should consider:
  - Emphasizing implementation capacity for conditionality, not just design.
  - Anticipating trade-offs between raising specific expenditure categories and reductions in other expenditures.

*Source: Expenditure Conditionality in IMF-supported Programs (IMF Working Papers, Working Paper No. 2018/255).*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2018/12/07/expenditure-conditionality-in-imf-supported-programs-46448_