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Fiscal Decentralization Improves Social Outcomes When Countries Have Good Governance

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  • Ryota Nakatani
  • Qianqian Zhang
  • Isaura Garcia Valdes

Abstract

Does fiscal decentralization improve health and educational outcomes? Does this improvement depend on the quality of governance? How do fiscal decentralization and governance interact? We answer these questions through an instrumental variable Tobit analysis of cross-country panel data. We find negative effects of fiscal decentralization on health outcomes, which however are more than offset by better governance. Education expenditure decentralization to subnational governments enhances educational outcomes. We conclude that countries can only reap the benefits from decentralization when the quality of their governance arrangements exceeds a certain threshold. We also find that sequencing and staging of decentralization matter. Countries should improve government effectiveness and control of corruption first to maximize benefits of fiscal decentralization.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryota Nakatani & Qianqian Zhang & Isaura Garcia Valdes, 2022. "Fiscal Decentralization Improves Social Outcomes When Countries Have Good Governance," IMF Working Papers 2022/111, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2022/111
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    6. Ryota Nakatani & Qianqian Zhang & Isaura Garcia Valdes, 2024. "Health Expenditure Decentralization and Health Outcomes: The Importance of Governance," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 54(1), pages 59-87.
    7. Ryota Nakatani, 2023. "Fiscal crises, decentralization, and indiscipline," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 70(5), pages 459-478, November.

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