Transparency (Open Budget Index) 17/100
The Government of Bolivia provides the public with scant budget information.
Public Participation 0/100
The Government of Bolivia provides the public with no opportunities to engage in the budget process.
Budget Oversight
By legislature 58/100
Budget oversight by the legislature in Bolivia is limited.
By auditor 58/100
Budget oversight by the supreme audit institution in Bolivia is limited.
Recommendations
Improving Transparency
Bolivia should prioritize the following actions to improve budget transparency:
- Publish the Executive’s Budget Proposal as soon as it’s presented to the National Assembly with all of its volumes and supporting budget documents.
- Publish a Pre-Budget Statement.
- Publish a Citizens Budget within three months of publishing the Enacted Budget1 and Mid-Year Review by September 30 each year.
Improving Participation
Bolivia should prioritize the following actions to improve budget participation:
- Establish credible and effective mechanisms (i.e., public hearings, surveys, focus groups) for capturing a range of public perspectives on budget matters.
- Hold legislative hearings on the budgets of specific ministries, departments, and agencies as well as on the audit reports at which testimony from the public is heard.
- Establish formal mechanisms for the public to assist the supreme audit institution to formulate its audit program and participate in audit investigations.
Improving Oversight
Bolivia should prioritize the following actions to strengthen budget oversight:
- Establish a specialized budget research office for the legislature.
- Ensure the legislature holds public meetings to review Audit Reports.
- Ensure the supreme audit institution has adequate funding to perform its duties, as determined by an independent body (e.g., the legislature or judiciary).