Selected Aspects of Performance of the Government Sector in the Czech Republic in the Context of EU Countries

Comparative study deals with the development of important aspects of performance of the government sector in the EU countries since 2000. Using standard outputs of national accounts shows shifts in position of individual countries in terms of government deficit and debt. These key Maastricht criteria are examined also in different phases of economic cycle. This relationship is complex as seen the example of new EU countries, which created notable deficits also in period of economic upturn. Significant long-term differences in structure of revenues and expenditures between CR and whole EU are depicted. In boom period (2000–2008) share of the government debts repayments dropped in favour of growth of investment expenditures, notably in new EU members. In 2009 in two thirds of member countries pecuniary social benefits were relatively most dynamic expenditure item, especially in the Baltics. In a subsequent period of consolidation both the weight of expenditures on the operation of the government sector and investment expenditures were reduced. Finally the attention is paid to structure of government debt from the aspect of different types of creditors or financial instruments covering the debt. The role of local government in growth of whole government debt is outlined