Regaining Fiscal Sustainability and Enhancing Effectiveness in Croatia: A Public Expenditure and Institutional Review (Country Studies)

During the 1990's while undergoing the process of nation building, Croatia made significant strides in private sector development and privatization. However, confronted by the impact of war and the need for reconstruction, a fairly sizeable deficit was amassed. The new government installed in 2000, was confronted with the need to establish a more sustainable fiscal policy while confronted by high unemployment and social spending. This report contains a thorough analysis of the areas critical to an improved budgetary management process including expenditure reorientation and restructuring. It provides detailed recommendations to facilitate the efforts of the Croatian Government in reducing public spending while improving its effectiveness.