Impact of Fiscal Policy on Economic Growth: Evidence from South East European Countries

This paper empirically analyses the impact of fiscal policy on the economic growth of the countries of Southeast Europe. The work was carried out with secondary data from the 12-year period and respectively from 2010 to 2021 and includes 11 countries, so the data belongs to the panel type. The purpose of this paper is to analyze social variables such as government spending, income from taxes, public debt, government effectiveness, fiscal freedom, rule of law index, and corruption in economic growth. For this purpose, we employ different econometric models and techniques such as OLS, OLS Robust fixed and random effects models, and GMM (Generalized Method of Moments). The findings from the research show that fiscal policy instruments have a positive impact on the economic growth of the countries of Southeast Europe, while the effectiveness of the government, the rule of law, and corruption show a statistically significant impact on the economic growth of these countries. The recommendations for the countries are for policymakers in the region to prioritize the development and implementation of sound fiscal policies to stimulate economic growth. By strategically managing government spending and taxation, these countries can enhance aggregate demand, encourage investment, and create a favourable business climate. Furthermore, adopting expansionary measures during economic downturns and adopting prudent debt management practices can contribute to stability, confidence, and sustainable growth.