The Impact of Fiscal Decentralization on Economic Growth in Morocco: An Empirical Analysis Based on Panel Data

Résumé

This article analyzes the impact of fiscal decentralization on regional economic growth in Morocco by drawing on a classical theoretical framework (Tiebout, Oates, Musgrave) and applying the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation to panel data covering the period from 2017 to 2022. Using a dynamic panel model, the empirical results reveal that local government revenues have a significant and positive effect on regional GDP, highlighting the central role of fiscal autonomy in territorial development. In contrast, local government expenditures do not show a significant effect on economic growth, which may reflect management inefficiencies or governance failures. The robustness of the estimates is confirmed by rigorous statistical tests. The study recommends strengthening the mobilization of local own-source revenues and optimizing the efficiency of public spending to maximize the positive outcomes of decentralization.