Effectiveness and Equity in Social Spending - The Case of Spain

Svetlana Vtyurina

No 2020/016, IMF Working Papers from International Monetary Fund

Abstract: Spain is experiencing sustained economic and social disparities in several areas. Social spending policies have a heightened responsibility to respond but are challenged by high public debt and pressures from an aging society. This study takes stock of the level and effectiveness of public social expenditure from a cross-country and macroeconomic view, complementing recent targeted spending reviews. The results suggest that social protection spending should aim to improve redistribution through better targeting the most vulnerable while more effective education and active labor market policies should aim to create more equal opportunities and income prospects. In some areas more fiscal resources are needed. But social spending alone cannot reduce inequality, and efforts also should be directed toward making the labor market more inclusive.

Keywords: WP; spending; Spain; government; healthcare spending; Social Protection Expenditure; Redistribution; Spending Efficiency; income scheme; disposable income; means testing; health barometer; spending trend; youth labor force; market income; state ministry; protection expenditure; pension expenditure; protection outlay; Income; Active labor market policies; Pension spending; Social protection spending; Global; Western Europe; Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 27
Date: 2020-01-30
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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