1. Regional Government expenditure statistics
Berthold Feldmann
Eurostat

2. Background
Project for regional government accounts in early-2000s, producing a methodological report
project halted in 2002 due to other priorities
Renewed interest of DG REGIO in government spending by region at NUTS level 2
A call for tender was launched to engage a private consultant to investigate current and future data availability in countries
Work started in June 2008, ended in April 2009

3. Main results
RGES can be produced by most, if not all National Statistical Offices (=the good news)
RGES cannot be produced in time for the next Cohesion report early 2011 (=the bad news)
The earliest data can be expected for 2014

4. Availability

5. Next steps (1)
In the current ESA Revision process, we will add four lines of RGES at regional level (NUTS level 2):
Total Government Expenditure
Of which: infrastructure (COFOG )
Of which: human resources (COFOG )
Of which: production environment (COFOG )
To be supplied at T+24 months
Implementation: 2014

6. Next steps (2)
A more detailed breakdown of RGES would be very much welcome as soon as possible
On a voluntary base
Grants are foreseen to help compiling RGES
Starting on 2010
Probably multi-annual programme
A methodological manual will be produced with details how to break down national government expenditure to the regional level

7. Next steps (3)
For the next Cohesion Report in early 2011, an existing contract is used by DG REGIO to estimate regional government expenditure data
This is one task in a multi task contract
Estimates will be done for the 12 largest countries (which cover 70% of all regions)
First results are expected in December 2009
A follow-up contract might be published if this deemed necessary

8. Thank you for your attention!
Any questions?