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Fiscal Decentralization and the Efficiency of Public Service Delivery

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  • Moussé Sow
  • Mr. Ivohasina F Razafimahefa

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of fiscal decentralization on the efficiency of public service delivery. It uses a stochastic frontier method to estimate time-varying efficiency coefficients and analyzes the impact of fiscal decentralization on those efficiency coefficients. The findings indicate that fiscal decentralization can improve the efficiency of public service delivery but only under specific conditions. First, the decentralization process requires adequate political and institutional environments. Second, a sufficient degree of expenditure decentralization seems necessary to obtain favorable outcomes. Third, decentralization of expenditure needs to be accompanied by sufficient decentralization of revenue. Absent those conditions, fiscal decentralization can worsen the efficiency of public service delivery.

Suggested Citation

  • Moussé Sow & Mr. Ivohasina F Razafimahefa, 2015. "Fiscal Decentralization and the Efficiency of Public Service Delivery," IMF Working Papers 2015/059, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2015/059
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    3. Sajjad Ali Khan, 2021. "Decentralization and the Limits to Service Delivery: Evidence From Northern Pakistan," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440219, February.
    4. Rhys Andrews & Malcolm J. Beynon, 2019. "Configurational Analysis of Access to Basic Infrastructure Services: Evidence from Turkish Provinces," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(5), pages 1341-1370, December.
    5. Manh‐Tien Bui & Thai‐Ha Le & Donghyun Park, 2023. "Impacts of fiscal decentralization on local development in Vietnam: A disaggregated analysis," Economics of Transition and Institutional Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 3-31, January.
    6. Chi, Meiqing & Muhammad, Sulaman & Khan, Zeeshan & Ali, Shahid & Li, Rita Yi Man, 2021. "Is centralization killing innovation? The success story of technological innovation in fiscally decentralized countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    7. Martina Halásková & Renata Halásková, 2018. "Evaluation Structure of Local Public Expenditures in the European Union Countries," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 66(3), pages 755-766.
    8. Pessino, Carola & Izquierdo, Alejandro & Vuletin, Guillermo, 2018. "Better Spending for Better Lives: How Latin America and the Caribbean Can Do More with Less," IDB Publications (Books), Inter-American Development Bank, number 9152, November.
    9. Kıvılcım Özge KARA, 2019. "Discussions on the Chance of Success and Efficiency of Fiscal Decentralisation," Sosyoekonomi Journal, Sosyoekonomi Society, issue 27(40).
    10. Siniša Mali & Lenka MaliCká, 2023. "Impact of Fiscal Decentralization on Fiscal Stance in EU: Real Deal or Econometric Illusion?," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 246(3), pages 71-99, September.
    11. Afonso, António & Tovar Jalles, João & Venâncio, Ana, 2024. "Fiscal decentralization and public sector efficiency: Do natural disasters matter?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    12. Meng Lingyan & Ze Zhao & Haider Ali Malik & Asif Razzaq & Hui An & Marria Hassan, 2022. "Asymmetric impact of fiscal decentralization and environmental innovation on carbon emissions: Evidence from highly decentralized countries," Energy & Environment, , vol. 33(4), pages 752-782, June.
    13. Tiangboho Sanogo, 2017. "Does fiscal decentralization enhance citizens’ access to public services and reduce poverty? Evidence from a conflict setting," Working Papers halshs-01582478, HAL.
    14. Latif Apaassongo Ibrahim & Aidoo Robert & Osei Mensah James, 2024. "City governance, urban livelihoods, and food security: insights from street food trade in Kumasi, Ghana," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 16(5), pages 1081-1098, October.
    15. Duncan M. Wagana & Mike A. Iravo & Joyce D. Nzulwa & John M. Kihoro, 2016. "Effect of Financial and Political Decentralization on Service Delivery in County Governments in Kenya," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 6(6), pages 304-320, June.
    16. Tiangboho SANOGO, 2017. "Does fiscal decentralization enhance citizens’ access to public services and reduce poverty? Evidence from a conflict setting," Working Papers 201715, CERDI.
    17. Manggar Wulan Kusuma & Rudy Badrudin, 2016. "Fiscal decentralization effect on economic growth in Bali," Economic Journal of Emerging Markets, Universitas Islam Indonesia, vol. 8(2), pages 136-147, April.
    18. Petro PATSURKIVSKYY & Ruslana HAVRYLYUK, 2018. "Legal Regulation Of Taxation In The Swiss Confederation," European Journal of Law and Public Administration, Editura LUMEN, vol. 5(1), pages 81-93, October.
    19. Jose M Alonso & Rhys Andrews, 2019. "Fiscal decentralisation and local government efficiency: Does relative deprivation matter?," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 37(2), pages 360-381, March.

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