A Comparative Analysis of Government Social Spending Indicators and Their Correlation with Social Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa

21 Pages Posted: 3 Feb 2006

See all articles by Paulo Lopes

Paulo Lopes

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - African Department

Date Written: October 2002

Abstract

This paper analyzes trends in social indicators in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and their correlation with the three most widely used scaled measures of government social spending: in per capita terms, as a percentage of GDP, and as a percentage of total government expenditure. On the basis of a regional data set matching health and education outcome indicators with government spending on those sectors, cross-country statistical analysis shows spending both per capita and as a percent of GDP to be of some relevance to social outcomes, but not the share of social spending in budgetary allocations. The policy implications concern not only governments in the region, but also the international donor community for its role in supporting social programs in SSA.

Keywords: social expenditure social indicators Sub-Saharan Africa government expenditure social development social policy international assistance poverty

JEL Classification: H51 H52 I18 I28

Suggested Citation

Lopes, Paulo, A Comparative Analysis of Government Social Spending Indicators and Their Correlation with Social Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa (October 2002). IMF Working Paper No. 02/176, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=880235

Paulo Lopes (Contact Author)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - African Department ( email )

1700 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20431
United States

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