2025-05-13-世界银行-2025年4月南亚发展更新_税收时代（英）_114页_2mb

Summary

The World Bank's South Asia Development Update: Selected Topics outlines that South Asia's growth prospects are weakening amid a challenging global environment, which exacerbates risks from fiscal vulnerabilities and climate change. Domestic revenue mobilization is critical for fiscal sustainability, but average tax revenues in the region stand at 18% of GDP, below the 24% EMDE average. Revenue shortfalls are driven by widespread informality, large agriculture sectors, and inadequate tax administration, contributing to deficits that stifle fiscal buffers. The spotlight highlights that climate adaptation, particularly through private sector shifts, could mitigate up to one-third of climate damage by 2050 if labor and resource reallocation is facilitated. This, however, requires policy reforms to reduce barriers like weak property rights. Job creation must prioritize inclusive growth, leveraging skilling and diaspora engagement to address a record working-age population. Pollution pricing is recommended as a dual revenue and environmental solution, especially for air and water pollution. Strengthening tax systems through simplification, rationalizing exemptions, and enhancing governance remains a priority to bridge the significant tax gaps, with potential gains from pollution pricing offering complementary revenue streams and addressing environmental challenges.