Governance and citizenship

Dexia and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) have released their new factsheet on the state of sub-national government in Europe.

 

The latest edition covers 2008. It includes key indicators on local and regional government such as socio-economic data, number of sub-national governments, public sector expenditure, public balance and debt, allocation of EU structural and cohesion funds, women representation and number of twinnings. One of this year's innovations is a calendar of local and regional elections in each country.

 

The document reveals that there are around 92 000 local, regional and federated governments in the EU, that 80% of European municipalities are located in only five countries and that the municipal average size is about 5 530 inhabitants.

 

It also shows the economic importance of the sub-national public sector, whose expenditure represent some 16% of the European GDP, and, in particular, its leading and key role as a public investor: sub-national public sector capital expenditure made up 65% of all EU public investment.

 

Figures on women in local politics in Europe reveals that Sweden holds the largest percentage of women in the municipal bodies (45%).

 

It is the fourth year in succession that Dexia and CEMR have produced this factsheet on local and regional data. 'Since 2006, this joint effort by Dexia and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions has been one of the most visible aspects of our partnership", said CEMR secretary general, Jeremy Smith. 'It has also evolved as one of the most useful tools for whoever is involved on Europe's local and regional government and needs 'at-a-glance" information on a wide range of sub-national issues".

 

CEO of Dexia Crédit Local, Pascal Poupelle, welcomed the fruitful partnership between CEMR et Dexia for 4 years now: 'As a European bank for the local economy, we are willing to continue supporting sub-national government face the numerous, present and forthcoming, challenges. Sharing with CEMR and its members our knowledge on the European sub-national financing systems and organisations and providing a practical basis for benchmarking across the borders are part of this commitment", he said. With this in mind, Dexia and CEMR are preparing a new partnership agreement which will set up new areas of cooperation.

The 2009-2010 factsheet on sub-national government in Europe is available in English and French. Hard copies can be requested at CEMR and Dexia. Electronic versions are available for downloading from CEMR and Dexia Web sites.