The post-2015 framework will contain the most ambitious set of development goals ever agreed and will require a significant increase in the effectiveness and efficiency of government spending. Bringing together available evidence and new quantitative analysis, this brief shows that budget transparency, expenditure monitoring and accountability can contribute to increases in spending towards, and better results related to, development goals. Whether or not this occurs crucially depends on data availability, space for civil society engagement, political will, and government capacity.
Ensuring positive outcomes in the post-2015 agenda requires a “data revolution” in tracking government spending, aid and results. This can be facilitated by:
- Promoting budget transparency and access to information on spending targeted to development goals, including an indicator in the post-2015 framework.
- Monitoring government spending on the goals as part of the “means of implementation”.
- Increasing support for strengthening government systems to publish detailed budget information.
- Increasing support for building the capacity of citizens, the media, parliaments, and government officials to strengthen budget accountability.