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Efficiency of Government Social Spending in Croatia

Author

Listed:
  • Etibar Jafarov

    (International Monetary Fund, Washington, USA)

  • Victoria Gunnarsson

    (International Monetary Fund, Washington, USA)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relative efficiency of social spending and service delivery in Croatia by comparing social spending and key social (outcome) indicators in Croatia to those of comparator countries. The analysis finds evidence of significant inefficiencies in Croatia’s social spending, mainly related to inadequate cost recovery for health and education services, weaknesses in the financing mechanisms and institutional arrangements, weak competition in the provision of social services, and weaknesses in targeting benefits. The paper also identifies areas for cost recovery and reform.

Suggested Citation

  • Etibar Jafarov & Victoria Gunnarsson, 2008. "Efficiency of Government Social Spending in Croatia," Financial Theory and Practice, Institute of Public Finance, vol. 32(3), pages 289-320.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipf:finteo:v:32:y:2008:i:3:p:289-320
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    File URL: http://www.ijf.hr/eng/FTP/2008/3/jafarov.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Vojmir Franičević & Teo Matković, 2013. "Croatia: Public sector adaptation and its impact on working conditions," Chapters, in: Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead (ed.), Public Sector Shock, chapter 4, pages 134-173, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    2. Manvi Saxena & Varun Chotia & N.V. Muralidhar Rao, 2018. "Estimating the Efficiency of Public Infrastructure Investment: A State-wise Analysis," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 19(4), pages 1037-1049, August.
    3. Anna Magdalena Korzeniowska, 2021. "Heterogeneity of government social spending in European Union countries," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Anup Kumar Yadava & Yadawananda Neog, 2022. "Public Sector Performance and Efficiency Assessment of Indian States," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 23(2), pages 493-511, April.

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