Regional Incidence Analysis of Benefits and Burdens: Revisited

Abstract

　There is no concrete understanding of the extent to which residents benefit from the various administrative services provided by the national and local governments.

　In this study, as an approximate approach to understanding the beneficiaries of residents, we attempt to understand the balance (= return) between public services in monetary terms, i.e., expenditures by the national and local governments as “residents’ benefits” and taxes borne by residents as “residents’ burdens,” by region.

　As a result of the estimation, the excess of benefits continues at the national level, and the regional incidence shows that urban areas are heavily burdened, non-urban areas are heavily benefited, and the national government’s involvement in bringing this about continues to be significant. On the other hand, in non-urban areas, it was recognized that the benefits from local governments are increasing.

　It is necessary to review the relationship between the central government and the local governments to ensure a comfortable living environment by providing administrative services that are more suited to local conditions, and to maintain fiscal discipline by ensuring that these services are borne appropriately by local communities. For this reason, it is important to constantly measure and understand the benefits and burdens of residents.