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Public Spending Efficiency in the Czech Republic: Fiscal Policy Framework and the Main Spending Areas of Pensions and Healthcare

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  • Zuzana Smidova

    (OECD)

Abstract

The Czech fiscal position is generally sound and policy making is prudent. However, the fiscal framework was not strong enough to contain spending in the upturn and it would benefit from independent budget oversight. An anchor for the fiscal policy would be helpful, in the form of an explicit debt target coupled with corresponding spending ceilings and deficit targets. The ongoing fiscal consolidation, spending pressures and an already relatively high average tax burden necessitate public sector efficiency improvements. There is scope for improvement in the management of government spending, mainly by enhancing transparency, introducing performance-oriented budget indicators at both central and local levels, improving the management of state-owned enterprises and developing the procurement practices of the public sector. Legislated increases in the retirement age will improve pension system sustainability. A new defined contribution tier is being introduced which should help to diversify future retirement income. At the same time, there is uncertainty about the number of participants who will decide to divert their contribution to the new tier and hence about the implications for revenues in the existing defined benefit pension tier. Also, attention should be taken regarding administrative costs of the new tier, since these can have a significant impact on future replacement rates and therefore public support for it. With more emphasis on private savings, the financial literacy of the population also needs to be stepped up. In healthcare the authorities plan to continue improving the multi-insurer model through incremental reforms such as limiting pharmaceutical costs and improving provider-payment system. The potential for efficiency improvement in healthcare network planning and better care management should be explored, while ensuring that insurers and health providers are given the correct incentives. This working paper relates to the 2011 Economic Survey of the Czech Republic, www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/czech. Efficience des dépenses publiques en République tchèque : Cadre de politique budgétaire et principales zones de dépenses dans le domaine des retraites et des soins de santé La situation des finances publiques tchèques est globalement saine et la politique budgétaire est prudente. Cependant, le cadre budgétaire n'a pas permis de contenir les dépenses durant la phase ascendante du cycle et il pourrait être renforcé par une meilleure application des plafonds de dépenses à moyen terme et par la mise en place d'un mécanisme indépendant de supervision des finances publiques. La politique budgétaire gagnerait à avoir un point d'ancrage sous la forme d'un objectif d'endettement explicite assorti des objectifs de déficit et plafonds de dépenses correspondants. L'effort d'assainissement budgétaire en cours, la pression des dépenses et une charge fiscale moyenne déjà relativement lourde sont autant de facteurs qui nécessitent une amélioration de l'efficience du secteur public. Il est possible d'améliorer la gestion des dépenses publiques, principalement en favorisant une plus grande transparence, en adoptant des indicateurs budgétaires axés sur les résultats au niveau central et au niveau local, en renforçant la gouvernance des entreprises publiques et en perfectionnant les procédures de passation des marchés publics. Le relèvement programmé de l'âge de la retraite améliorera la viabilité du système de retraite. Le nouveau régime à cotisations définies qui va être mis en place devrait permettre de diversifier les sources de revenu des futurs retraités. En même temps, il est difficile de dire combien de personnes décideront de transférer une partie de leurs cotisations vers le nouveau régime et quelles retombées cela aura sur les recettes du régime à prestations définies. Par ailleurs, il faudrait faire attention aux frais administratifs du nouveau régime, car ces charges peuvent avoir une incidence non négligeable sur les taux futurs de remplacement et donc sur l'adhésion du public. Compte tenu du rôle accru dévolu à l'épargne-retraite privée, il faut aussi améliorer les connaissances financières de la population. Dans le domaine de la santé, les autorités ont l'intention de continuer à améliorer graduellement le modèle à assureurs multiples, avec des mesures progressives visant par exemple à limiter les dépenses en médicaments et à perfectionner le système de paiement des prestataires. Il faudrait explorer les possibilités de gains d'efficience dans la planification du réseau de santé et dans la gestion des soins, tout en veillant à offrir aux assureurs et aux prestataires de soins les incitations qui conviennent. Ce document de travail se rapporte à l’Étude économique de l’OCDE sur la République tchèque 2011, www.oecd.org/eco/etudes/tcheque.

Suggested Citation

  • Zuzana Smidova, 2011. "Public Spending Efficiency in the Czech Republic: Fiscal Policy Framework and the Main Spending Areas of Pensions and Healthcare," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 922, OECD Publishing.
  • Handle: RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:922-en
    DOI: 10.1787/5kg0k6zbxlr8-en
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    Keywords

    budgets; cadre budgétaire; collectivités locales; Czech Republic; finances publiques; fiscal frameworks; health care; local governments; pensions; public finances; République tchèque; soins de santé;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • H57 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Procurement
    • H61 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Budget; Budget Systems
    • H72 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Budget and Expenditures

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