The Effectiveness of Public Expenditure in Portugal

[摘要] Over the past decade, Portugal has experienced imbalances and inefficiencies in the public sector that have impeded better economic performance. Though Portugal’s total spending as a proportion of GDP is somewhat below the EU average, the rapid and uncontrolled growth of its primary current spending to a level now above the OECD and EU average, is worrying, because it puts at risks long-term fiscal sustainability. This paper points to major shortcomings in the budget management process and in the planning and control of public spending. The paper acknowledges recent action taken by public authorities to address some of the shortcomings and makes recommendations for moving further ahead. It suggests policy options that can make public expenditure more efficient and effective at overall levels. Administrative control, the cost-effectiveness of service provision, and incentives for efficient resource allocation all need to be improved. Ongoing efforts to develop accruals-based ...

[发布日期] 2003-02-06 [发布机构] Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

[学科分类] 社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

[关键词] public economics;Portugal;education;government expenditure;health;structure and scope of government;state and local government