Naslov
In search of the optimal size for local government: an assessment of economies of scale in local government in Croatia

Autori
Buljan, Antonija ; Švaljek, Sandra ; Deskar-Škrbić, Milan

Izvornik
Local government studies (0300-3930) 48 (2022), 4; 604-627

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Local government expenditures, local government, economies of scale, territorial fragmentation, Croatia

Sažetak
This paper brings an empirical assessment of economies of scale in local government units in Croatia. Using cross-section OLS models, we found statistically significant U-shaped relationship between local per capita expenditures and population size, while controlling for various demographic, socio-economic and institutional factors. The choice of control variables in the paper is based on the existing empirical literature but also includes factors capturing the specificities of Croatian economy and local government institutional setup. Using estimated regression coefficients we calculated the optimal size of local units and showed that population size is below optimal in 72% of cities and 76% of municipalities (based on median results).

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Ekonomija

POVEZANOST RADA