Documenting Trends in Multi-Level Governance and Finance in the Asia-Pacific Region (OECD-WOFI 4th Edition)

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), through the World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment (WOFI), supports evidence-based policymaking by providing standardized, comparable data on multi-level governance and subnational finance worldwide. As part of the NYU Wagner Capstone, the team collaborated with OECD-WOFI to contribute to the 4th Edition of its global report by analyzing fiscal decentralization trends across seven Asia-Pacific countries. The project addressed gaps in data availability and comparability by collecting and harmonizing quantitative and qualitative information on subnational expenditures, revenues, and governance frameworks. Fieldwork involved synthesizing national and international data sources, applying standardized templates, and engaging with OECD experts. The team produced country profiles and cross-country analyses highlighting regional trends, challenges, and opportunities in local public finance and investment. Findings support improved decision-making and strengthen the global evidence base for sustainable and inclusive multi-level governance.