Government at a Glance 2013
Government at a Glance 2013 provides readers with a dashboard of key indicators assembled with the goal of contributing to the analysis and international comparison of public sector performance. Indicators on government revenues, expenditures, and employment are provided alongside key output and outcome data in the sectors of education and health. Government at a Glance also includes indicators on key governance and public management issues, such as transparency in governance, regulatory governance, new ways in delivering public services and HRM and compensation practices in the public service. While measuring government performance has long been recognized as playing an important role in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the public administration, following the economic crisis and fiscal tightening in many member countries, good indicators are needed more than ever to help governments make informed decisions regarding tough choices and help restore confidence in government institutions.
Employment in general government and public corporations
Individual governments choose what public services to deliver and how to deliver them. Some countries use more public employees than others to provide services: teachers, health care providers, security and emergency workers and government administrators, for instance, are considered civil servants in many member countries and deliver important services. Other countries, however, make greater use of the private and non-profit sectors. The proportion of the labour force working for the government reflects this choice and is one factor in determining the ultimate cost of service delivery to tax‑payers. The relative size of government employment can also have an effect on the labour market, with potential to impact the productivity of the economy.