Efficiency of Government Social Spending in Croatia

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Etibar Jafarov, Victoria Gunnarsson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Institute of Public Finance 2008-09-01
Series:Financial Theory and Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijf.hr/eng/FTP/2008/3/jafarov.pdf
Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:1846-887X
1845-9757