Subnational fiscal policy and economic cycles in Colombia
The series Documentos de trabajo sobre economía regional y urbana (only in Spanish, Working Papers on Regional and Urban Economics) is a publication of Banco de la República in Cartagena. The opinions contained in this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not commit Banco de la República or its Board of Directors.
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Abstract
This paper studies the relationship between subnational fiscal policy and economic cycles in Colombia. To do so, we estimate a dynamic panel data model for Colombian municipalities and departments during the period 1990-2018. The main findings show that, on average, subnational fiscal policy in Colombia was pro-cyclical in this period. However, results highlight lower pro-cyclicality following the main reforms to intergovernmental transfers and the introduction of subnational responsibility laws. The former led to a less pro-cyclical design of this source of revenues, while the latter fostered fiscal discipline and local finances' sustainability. Furthermore, we find evidence of higher pro-cyclicality of capital expenditures in less-developed municipalities and departments, which coincides with the increase in royalties' participation in this group of territorial entities.
