Transparency (Open Budget Index) 46/100
The Government of Nicaragua provides the public with limited budget information.
Public Participation 6/100
The Government of Nicaragua is weak in providing the public with opportunities to engage in the budget process.
Budget Oversight
By legislature 61/100
Budget oversight by the legislature in Nicaragua is adequate.
By auditor 42/100
Budget oversight by the supreme audit institution in Nicaragua is limited.
Recommendations
Improving Transparency
Nicaragua should prioritize the following actions to improve budget transparency:
- Publish a Pre-Budget Statement.
- Produce and publish a Citizens Budget and Mid-Year Review.
- Increase the comprehensiveness of the Executive’s Budget Proposal by presenting more data on the total debt stock and interest for the budget year and more information on macroeconomic forecasts.
Improving Participation
Nicaragua 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 audit reports at which testimony from the public is heard.
- Provide detailed feedback on how public participation has been used by the supreme audit institution.)
Improving Oversight
Nicaragua should prioritize the following actions to strengthen budget oversight:
- Ensure the legislature holds a pre-budget debate and the outcome is reflected in the Enacted Budget.
- In both law and practice, ensure the legislature is consulted prior to the spending of contingency funds that were not identified in the Enacted Budget.
- Ensure the supreme audit institution has adequate funding to perform its duties, as determined by an independent body (e.g., the legislature or judiciary).