Options for Expenditure-based Consolidation

To curb the rise of government debt it is necessary to evaluate public expenditures and revenues in terms of their necessity and efficiency. Notwithstanding the potential to improve the balance by raising taxes or levying new ones this article concentrates on adjustment options on the expenditure side. Among the different expenditure items in Austria public administration, economic affairs (i.e., direct business subsidies) and health services offer the most extensive opportunities for expenditure cuts.