There are many ways in which fiscal policy can support medium- to long-term growth (Table 1). In designing growth-friendly fiscal policies, consideration should be given to countryspecific needs, circumstances, and administrative capacities.
Macroeconomic stability is an essential prerequisite for strong and sustained growth.
Large fiscal deficits reduce aggregate savings in the economy and may lead to inflation,• high interest rates, and balance of payments pressures. Policy uncertainty, high levels of public debt, and high inflation, can deter private investment.
Fiscal frameworks that facilitate the symmetric functioning of automatic stabilizers can• reduce macroeconomic volatility and uncertainty and foster medium-term growth.
Careful consideration needs to be given to the pace of fiscal consolidation. Countries that• are not under market pressure should proceed with gradual fiscal consolidation, anchored in a credible medium-term plan.
The composition of adjustment matters for growth. Expenditure-based consolidations are• typically more durable and supportive of longer-term growth; however, in some cases revenue-based consolidations may be more appropriate and equity-friendly.
Not all countries need to adjust, however: many low-income countries may have fiscal space• for productive spending on infrastructure and critical social services.
Policy design and social consensus matter for the successful implementation of reforms.
Structural reforms can promote savings, stimulate investment, and unlock productivity• gains. To be successful, fiscal measures should be mutually reinforcing and may need to be accompanied by supportive structural reforms and macroeconomic policies.
Appropriately designed fiscal reform packages can serve both growth and equity objectives:• for example, if revenue from relatively regressive tax reforms is used to finance higher health and education spending, the overall result can be higher growth and lower inequality.
Social consensus increases the likelihood of reforms being implemented and sustained. A• number of strategies can help foster public support for reforms, including effective communication with stakeholders, and compensatory measures for those expected to lose from reforms.