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TitleDoes decentralisation improve equity and efficiency in public service provision
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsRobinson, M
Paginationp. 7-17
Date Published2007-11-01
Keywordsaccess to sanitation, access to water, decentralization, evaluation, latin america, policies, sanitation, sdipol, service delivery, sub-saharan africa, triple s concepts, water supply
Abstract

This article reviews evidence from the developing world to see if decentralisation has improved the quality and accessibility of health, education and infrastructure services. Supporters of decentralisation claim financial, efficiency and quality gains in service delivery through the use of local agencies that not only make better use of local resources but also understand local needs and preferences. But decentralisation also involves the risk of local elites ‘capturing’ power and resources, worsening access for poorer groups, and local government falling short in terms of technical or managerial capacity. Key findings from decentralisation in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia include:

  • Poor and socially marginalised people have not in general benefited from improved access to services.
  • The quality of public services has generally not improved, with increasing gaps between wealthier and poorer areas, for example in health care services in Chile.
  • There have been gains in efficiency through financial decentralisation, but resources have not been adequate.
  • Political and institutional conditions have a significant impact on decentralisation outcomes and user satisfaction: in Africa lack of real devolution has undermined programmes.
  • It is difficult to generalise on the basis of limited evidence, especially from South Asia.
Notes37 ref.
Custom 1202.3, 302.3

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