Subnational governance and finance matter for regional development

At the global level, subnational governments are key economic and social players. They represent on average in the OECD:

• 40% of public expenditure
• 63% of total public staff expenditure
• 59% of public investment
• 32% of public tax revenue
• 20% of public debt

The OECD is the leading international forum on multi-level governance, identifying policy options and recommendations to strengthen subnational capacities and multi-level mechanisms for more effective and inclusive regional development policies.

In 2016, the OECD created the Multi-Level Governance Studies series, focusing on decentralisation reforms, public investment, municipal governance, subnational finance and territorial reforms.

See launch event of the World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment

See launch event

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The OECD is a leading forum on multi-level governance, identifying policy options and recommendations to strengthen subnational capacities.

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The OECD gathers and publishes annually updated data on subnational governments in 35 OECD member countries.

Access the data

Our online Toolkit will guide you in implementing the OECD Principles on Effective Public Investment Across Levels of Government.

Access the Toolkit