The Open Budget Survey 2008 evaluates budget transparency in 85 countries and finds that most governments provide minimal or no public access to budget information. Only five countries received an "extensive" rating, while 41 received "minimal, scant, or no information." Oversight institutions like legislatures and auditors are also often weak. However, many countries already produce budget documents internally and transparency could be improved at low cost by publishing these. The survey recommends governments publish more information and engage the public more, while donors should make aid more transparent.

1. The Open Budget Survey 2008 Vivek Ramkumar Manager, Open Budget Initiative

6. Key Finding #4 Countries Showing Significant Improvements in Budget Transparency from OBI 2006 to OBI 2008 www.InternationalBudget.org Country OBI 2006 OBI 2008 Change Comments Egypt 18 43 +25 Publication of Executive’s Budget Proposal Georgia 33 53 +20 Introduction of multi-year budgeting; Elimination of extra-budgetary funds Croatia 42 59 +17 Introduction of multi-year estimates; Publication of Citizens Budget Sri Lanka 47 64 +17 Preparation of 3-year budget projections Kenya 48 57 +9 Improvement in external audit; Increased citizen participation in budget process Nepal 36 43 +7 Reinstitution of Parliament after 2002 political crisis