What is the Open Budget Survey 2017?

• It is the only independent, comparative, regular measure of public budget transparency and accountability around the world, produced by independent civil society budget experts who are not beholden to any national government.

• The survey uses documented evidence and objective criteria to evaluate the extent to which national or central governments in 115 countries make available to the public the eight key budget documents set by international standards for budget transparency. To be considered “publicly available,” documents must be available online and in a time-frame consistent with good practices. In addition, the survey assesses whether the information provided in the documents is comprehensive and useful.

• The survey also examines the role that legislatures, supreme audit institutions, and independent fiscal institutions play in the budget process and the extent to which they are able to provide effective oversight of the budget.

• Furthermore, the survey assesses the degree to which the executive, the legislature, and the supreme audit institution provide opportunities for the public to engage throughout the budget process.

• The survey is not an opinion poll or a measure of perceptions – it is based on a rigorous, objective methodology subject to independent review.