Fiscal federalism network

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  • Latest publication: Fiscal Federalism 2016 - Making Decentralisation Work

    “Fiscal Federalism 2016” proposes reform options for intergovernmental fiscal frameworks and sub-central public finance. After summarising trends and developments in decentralisation since 1995, the book examines: fiscal constitutions and how they shape fiscal outcomes; the recurrent tax on immovable property and how it may underpin an inclusive tax system; how own taxation rather than grants may help increase government accountability and efficiency; how sub-national governments should monitor and manage debt; and the spending power of sub-national governments.

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  • Reforming Fiscal Federalism: Beyond the Zero-Sum Game

    This book describes and examines reforms of fiscal federalism and local government in 10 OECD countries implemented over the past decade.

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  • Does Fiscal Decentralisation Foster Regional Convergence?

    Across the OECD, GDP per capita is converging. In contrast, regional disparities - or differences in GDP per capita across jurisdictions - are rising, mainly as a result of widening productivity differences.

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The OECD Network on Fiscal Relations across Levels of Government provides analysis and statistical underpinnings on the relationship between central and subcentral government, and its impact on efficiency, equity and macroeconomic stability.

 

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Fiscal Decentralisation and Inclusive Growth

This new book looks at how states can design fiscal policies in a way that boosts growth and reduces inequality. A series of cross-country analyses and country case studies examine the allocation of responsibilities across levels of government. Finding the right balance between growth-enhancing and inequality-reducing policies is complex. For instance, to promote competition and efficiency, education policy and other public services often need to be managed by sub-national governments; on the other hand, in order to facilitate equity, equalising transfers are sometimes needed, which require more centralisation, although this can weaken the incentives of local policy-makers. The book provides insights and experiences from academics and practitioners on key aspects of intergovernmental fiscal relations and how they can contribute to inclusive growth.

 Fiscal Decentralisation and Inclusive Growth

High-level Roundtable on Fiscal Relations Across Levels of Government in New Delhi, India

A high-level roundtable was held with the Fifteenth Finance Commission on 4 April 2018 in New Delhi, India. The discussion covered revenue sharing arrangements with sub-national governments, equalisation systems, public spending and incentives, fiscal targets, fiscal rules and sub-national debt. Experts from the OECD Secretariat and Fiscal Network delegates from several member countries participated. The discussion will feed into future thinking about the arrangements for fiscal relations in India and elsewhere.

 OECD High-level Roundtable on Fiscal Relations Across Levels of Government in New Delhi

 

Publications

Fiscal Federalism 2016

‌‌Fiscal Federalism 2016 - Making Decentralisation Work
Published on June 20, 2016


Fiscal Federalism 2016 surveys recent trends and policies in intergovernmental fiscal relations and sub-central government. Accessible and easy-to read chapters provide insight: into growing spending and tax devolution; the fiscal constitutions of federal countries; how immovable property taxation is regaining its former significance; on the true spending power of sub central governments...
Institutions of Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations

‌Institutions of Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations
Published on November 18, 2015


This book brings together academics and practitioners dealing with or being involved in shaping the institutions of intergovernmental fiscal relations. It has an interdisciplinary focus and provides insight from various academic or practitioners’ fields: economists, political scientists, budget management specialists and others.
‌‌‌Fiscal Federalsim working paper thumbnail

Sub-central Tax Autonomy

An update of the indicators that measure the tax autonomy of sub-central governments in OECD countries. Over the last decade, tax autonomy at the state level increased, while it hardly changed at the local level. The OECD now has tax autonomy indicators for the years 1995, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011.

 

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