Georgia is now the highest ranked country on budget transparency in Open Budget Survey 2021 published by the International Budget Partnership on Tuesday.
As noted by the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, based on the last two estimates of the budget transparency survey - in 2017 and 2019, Georgia ranked 5th among 117 countries in the group of fully transparent countries. According to the estimates - in 2017 and 2019, Georgia ranked 5th among 117 countries in a group of completely transparent countries.
The country's score has risen by more than 30 points since 2008, with the ranking recognizing its budget transparency amid the pandemic.
“In 2020, as pandemic-strained governments struggled to operate effectively, Georgia led the world in budget transparency practices, scoring 87 out of 100 in OBS 2021. This is an increase of six points from OBS 2019, reflecting the Ministry of Finance’s work to continue publishing timely and comprehensive budget documents'', - the report reads.
"Mechanisms for public participation in the central budget process remain underutilised," it said while adding the latest improvements demonstrated budget accountability in Georgia "is not just a temporary endeavor, but an ongoing commitment to embedding good budgeting practices over time that are capable of weathering challenges and crises".
Using 109 indicators to measure budget transparency, countries were given a score out of 100 for each category that measured how governments managed public finances. These indicators assess whether central governments made eight key budget documents available to the public online in a timely manner and whether these documents present budget information in a comprehensive and useful way.
The eight documents are the pre-budget statement, executive’s budget proposal, enacted budget, citizens' budget, in-year reports, mid-year review, year-end report and audit report.
The OBS was first published in 2006, with Georgia listed 30th with 34 points and among the least transparent countries.
"Georgia continues to work with partners to improve the quality of reporting and develop mechanisms for citizen engagement, and to this end cooperates with all stakeholders," - the statement says.
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