Petroleum Product Subsidies : Costly, Inequitable, and On the Rise /

Petroleum product subsidies have again started to increase with the rebound in international prices. This note reviews recent developments in subsidy levels and argues that reforming the policy framework for setting petroleum product prices is necessary to reduce the fiscal burden of these subsidies...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Piotrowski, John
Other Authors: Coady, David, Ossowski, Rolando, Tyson, Justin
Format: Journal
Language:English
Published: Washington, D.C. : International Monetary Fund, 2010.
Series:IMF Staff Position Notes; Staff Position Note ; No. 2010/005
Online Access:Full text available on IMF
Description
Summary:Petroleum product subsidies have again started to increase with the rebound in international prices. This note reviews recent developments in subsidy levels and argues that reforming the policy framework for setting petroleum product prices is necessary to reduce the fiscal burden of these subsidies and to address climate change. Between 2003 and mid-2008, global consumer subsidies for petroleum products are estimated to have increased more than eightfold, from USD 57 billion to USD 490 billion. Although subsidies decreased to USD 136 billion by mid-2009, they are projected to increase to USD 237 billion by end-2010 (or nearly 0.3 percent of global GDP). Tax-inclusive subsidies, reflecting sub-optimal taxation of petroleum products, are projected to increase to USD 733 billion, or 1.0 percent of global GDP. G-20 countries account for over 70 percent of tax-inclusive subsidies. Halving tax-inclusive subsidies could reduce projected fiscal deficits in subsidizing countries by one-sixth and greenhouse emissions by around 15 percent. Subsidy reform strategies should contain measures to mitigate the impact of higher prices on the poorest groups.
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Physical Description:1 online resource (20 pages)
Format:Mode of access: Internet
ISSN:2617-6742
Access:Electronic access restricted to authorized BRAC University faculty, staff and students