Government Finance Statistics In The Countries Of The Former Soviet Union

The IMF Working Papers series is designed to make IMF staff research available to a wide audience. Almost 300 Working Papers are released each year, covering a wide range of theoretical and analytical topics, including balance of payments, monetary and fiscal issues, global liquidity, and national and international economic developments.

This paper examines compilation issues affecting government finance statistics (GFS) in the Baltics, the Russian Federation and other states of the former Soviet Union (the FSU countries). It finds that there are several major problems affecting the use of FSU fiscal reports as source documents for compilation of GFS data. These include the inadequate coverage of the data in the fiscal reports, the structure of the classification codes, and the level of aggregation in fiscal reports. The paper also examines a number of methodological issues and suggests appropriate treatments for certain types of transactions found in the FSU countries. Finally, the paper identifies priority areas for the future development of GFS reporting systems for these countries. A supplementary paper provides bridge tables between the fiscal classification codes of selected FSU countries and the GFS classification codes; that paper is available from the author on request.

This paper reviews the uneven record of fiscal performance in the states of the former Soviet Union since independence. Deficits have come down rapidly, an important contribution to stabilization. Given, however, the unexpectedly severe revenue decline and limited financing, the stabilization was reached by sharp cuts in expenditure. The cuts were abrupt and not focused on transition goals, and the instruments used vitiated normal budgetary processes. Hence, benchmarks of fiscal success other than stabilization are elusive. Government intervention and subsidies remain important, social spending is inefficient, and there is little evidence in the budget of restructuring.

This Manual, which updates the first edition published in 1986, is a major advance in the standards for compilation and presentation of fiscal statistics. It is intended as a reference volume for compilers of government finance statistics, fiscal analysts, and other users of fiscal data. The Manual introduces accrual accounting, balance sheets, and complete coverage of government economic and financial activities. It covers concepts, definitions, classifications, and accounting rules, and provides a comprehensive framework for analysis, planning, and policy determination. To the extent possible, the Manual has been harmonized with the System of National Accounts 1993.

Transparency in government operations is widely regarded as an important precondition for macroeconomic fiscal sustainability, good governance, and overall fiscal rectitude. Notably, the Interim Committee, at its April and September 1996 meetings, stressed the need for greater fiscal transparency. Prompted by these concerns, this paper represents a first attempt to address many of the aspects of transparency in government operations. It provides an overview of major issues in fiscal transparency and examines the IMF's role in promoting transparency in government operations.