Fiscal policy affects macroeconomic stability, growth, and income distribution. Citizens expect their governments to ensure value-for-money for public spending, a fair and efficient tax system, and transparent and accountable management of public sector resources.
The IMF has been a leading source of fiscal policy and management expertise worldwide. The IMF monitors and analyzes global fiscal trends and advises IMF member countries on fiscal issues directly. This page highlights the main fiscal policy issues currently under discussion, as well as provides links to research, publications, and commentary.
Fiscal Monitor 2024: Putting a Lid on Public Debt
Chapter 1: Putting a Lid on Public Debt
Chapter 1 of the Fiscal Monitor The chapter quantifies the risks surrounding public debt outlook and sets out policies to rebuild fiscal buffers to address those risks.
The increase in debt in the last decade points to the need for lowering deficits, rebuilding space to deal with shocks, and strengthening fiscal rules
Empirical analysis points to low growth prospects as the main driver of this trend in 2023.
Unknowns raise risk of financial market volatility and a sharp decline in economic growth
Elevated risks to public debt call for enduring and carefully designed fiscal adjustments
Large fiscal deficits and elevated debt levels call for greater fiscal prudence, but political forces are pulling in the opposite way
With elevated debt service squeezing the space available to finance much needed investment in many countries, urgent action is needed to boost fiscal space, maintain adequate international support, and reduce debt servicing costs.
Digital Solutions Guidelines for Public Financial Management
The Use of Mirror Data by Customs Administrations: From Principles to Practice
Building Tax Capacity in Developing Countries
Transforming Public Finance Through GovTech
How to Combat Value-Added Tax Refund Fraud
The Political Economy of GovTech
Cryptocarbon: How Much Is the Corrective Tax?
The Role of Structural Fiscal Policy on Female Labor Force Participation in OECD Countries
IMF Fossil Fuel Subsidies Data: 2023 Update
Fiscal Policy and the Government Balance Sheet in China
International Tax Spillovers and Tangible Investment, with Implications for the Global Minimum Tax
Taxing Cryptocurrencies
Sri Lanka: Technical Assistance Report-Governance Diagnostic Assessment
Republic of Armenia: Review of Tax Expenditures
Cyprus: Technical Assistance Report–Strengthening the Governance and Oversight of State-Owned Enterprises
Maldives: Developing a Legal, Policy and Operational Framework for the Sovereign Development Fund
Rwanda: Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment–PIMA and Climate PIMA
Guatemala: Technical Assistance Report-Fiscal Transparency Evaluation
Digital Solutions Guidelines for Public Financial Management
The Use of Mirror Data by Customs Administrations: From Principles to Practice
Building Tax Capacity in Developing Countries
Transforming Public Finance Through GovTech
How to Combat Value-Added Tax Refund Fraud
The Political Economy of GovTech
Cryptocarbon: How Much Is the Corrective Tax?
The Role of Structural Fiscal Policy on Female Labor Force Participation in OECD Countries
IMF Fossil Fuel Subsidies Data: 2023 Update
Fiscal Policy and the Government Balance Sheet in China
International Tax Spillovers and Tangible Investment, with Implications for the Global Minimum Tax
Taxing Cryptocurrencies
Sri Lanka: Technical Assistance Report-Governance Diagnostic Assessment
Republic of Armenia: Review of Tax Expenditures
Cyprus: Technical Assistance Report–Strengthening the Governance and Oversight of State-Owned Enterprises
Maldives: Developing a Legal, Policy and Operational Framework for the Sovereign Development Fund
Rwanda: Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment–PIMA and Climate PIMA
Guatemala: Technical Assistance Report-Fiscal Transparency Evaluation
Fiscal Monitor Database of Country Fiscal Measures in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Global Debt Database
Fiscal Decentralization Database
International Survey on Revenue Administrations
Fiscal Monitor Database
Fiscal Crises Database
Public Finances in Modern History Database
How to Cut Methane Emissions
Global public debt is elevated. It is projected to exceed US$100 trillion in 2024 and will rise over the medium term. This chapter shows that risks to the debt outlook are heavily tilted to the upside.
Director of the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, Vítor Gaspar, answers key questions on the latest Fiscal Monitor. How fast are global debt levels rising, what challenges do policymakers face, and what’s our advice?
The theme of this year’s Statistical Forum is Measuring the Implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the Economy. The increased use of AI presents both opportunities and challenges, with significant economic and societal implications.
Global inflation has tripled since pre-pandemic levels, challenging policymakers. Our analysis shows the ripple effects of monetary policy remain largely consistent with historical patterns, despite the unique nature of recent economic shocks.
First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath joined Washington Post's Heather Long for a fireside chat about fiscal policies in the age of AI
The report takes stock of mitigation policies across countries and presents the trilemma facing policymakers of balancing between achieving climate goals, debt sustainability, and political feasibility.
