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Where Does the Public Sector End and the Private Sector Begin?
Author:
Mr. Ian Lienert
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Series:
IMF Working Papers
Volume/Issue:
Volume 2009: Issue 122
Language:
English
Publication Date:
01 Jun 2009
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451872699.001
ISBN:
9781451872699
ISSN:
1018-5941
Pages:
30
Keywords:
WP; government unit; balance sheet; government sector; government control; government employee pension schemes
Legal-disclaimer:
IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.
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The boundary between the public and private sectors can be defined on the basis of ownership of institutional units. Nonmarket government-owned entities and corporations that are owned or controlled by government units belong to the public sector. “Economic ownership” is more important than majority ownership. Joint ventures, public-private partnerships, and social insurance funds (including for public employees) can be unambiguously allocated to the public or private sector on the basis of international public sector accounting standards. Boundary problems within the public sector are just as acute as those between the public and private sectors, mainly because of ambiguities in distinguishing “market” from “nonmarket” activities.
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Cover IMF Working Papers
IMF Working Papers
ISSN:
1018-5941
Publisher:
International Monetary Fund