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Subnational Fiscal Disparities and Intergovermental Transfers in LAC

Author

Listed:
  • Andres Felipe Muñoz

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

  • Gustavo Axel Radics

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

  • Claudia Bone

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

Abstract

We document the presence of fiscal disparities among subnational governments (SNG) in Latin America and show the limitations of existing intergovernmental transfer systems to reduce them. For 11 countries in the region during 2000-12, we find that, although transfers reduce disparities in own revenues, the remaining fiscal disparities among SNG are still considerable. We also show that fiscal transfers are distributed without consideration of fiscal capacity and explicit measures of expenditure needs, hampering their equalization potential. Our findings suggest that the introduction of equalization transfers can contribute to tackle more effectively the subnational fiscal disparities and hence improve regional equity.

Suggested Citation

  • Andres Felipe Muñoz & Gustavo Axel Radics & Claudia Bone, 2016. "Subnational Fiscal Disparities and Intergovermental Transfers in LAC," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 219(4), pages 35-66, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:hpe:journl:y:2016:v:219:i:4:p:35-66
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. K. R. Shanmugam & K. Shanmugam, 2022. "Designing Transfers Policy with Normatively Determined Revenues and Expenditures of State Governments in India," Working Papers 2022-237, Madras School of Economics,Chennai,India.
    2. K. Shanmugam & K. R. Shanmugam, 2022. "Equalisation Transfers Based on Spending Needs and Fiscal Capacity of State Governments in India," Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, National Council of Applied Economic Research, vol. 16(2), pages 139-165, May.
    3. Qurat ul Ain & Yan Jie & Larisa Ivașcu & Syed Ghulam Meran Shah & Tahir Yousaf, 2023. "Whether rising tide has lifted all the boats? Effect of inter‐governmental transfers on household income inequality in Pakistan," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(1), pages 430-447, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    decentralization; fiscal disparities; inequity; transfers; equalization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H73 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Interjurisdictional Differentials and Their Effects
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism

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