Public Financial Management and Fiscal Outcomes in Sub-Saharan African Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries

Author/Editor:

Ezequiel Cabezon ; Tej Prakash

Publication Date:

September 1, 2008

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper examines, in a formal econometric framework, the linkages between public financial management and fiscal outcomes in sub-Saharan African countries. Similar analyses have been done for Latin America, Europe, and the United States, but none in the context of low-income countries. Using public financial management indicators, as measured in two recent assessments related to the Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, this study shows that improving public financial management leads to better fiscal outcomes, as measured by the overall fiscal balance and external debt levels, after controlling for other characteristics that might alter fiscal outcomes.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2008/217

Subject:

Frequency:

Biannually

English

Publication Date:

September 1, 2008

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451870756/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2008217

Pages:

46

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org