What Works to Improve Lives?: What Works to Improve Government Efficiency, Tax Compliance, and Financial Resilience

Abstract

This publication is one of a series of five monographs produced by the Inter-American Development Bank to take stock of the lessons learned from impact evaluations of investments supported by the IDB Group for over a decade across a wide range of economic and social development sectors. In light of increasing demand in recent years for higher-quality public services in Latin America and the Caribbean, this monograph examines programs and policies that can help governments improve how they fund and provide these services to their people. Specifically, it reviews the evidence on ways to improve government efficiency, public spending, taxation, and financial resilience. Key lessons on “what works” include using information and communication technology to improve government processes and reduce costs, increasing tax compliance through architectural or messaging “nudges,” and identifying innovative ways to encourage citizens to save.