An evaluation of budgetary policies implemented during the COVİD-19 pandemic in selected OECD countries

The aim of this study is to examine the budgetary policies implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic in selected OECD countries, namely the United States, Germany, Italy, Greece, Poland and Türkiye. In the context of the global economic recession and uncertainty caused by the pandemic, a rise in unemployment rates and significant production losses were observed worldwide. The study analyzes various fiscal stimulus packages adopted by these countries to support their economies. These packages included direct cash transfers, tax deferrals and reductions, additional budget allocations for healthcare services, and social assistance programs targeting households affected by unemployment and income loss. The short-term effects of these measures on public revenues and expenditures, as well as their implications for budget balance, are also addressed in the study. The findings indicate that while these growth-oriented fiscal policies have led to an expansion of budget deficits, they have played a strategic role in supporting economic stability under unprecedented crisis conditions. Moreover, the study highlights the potential long-term pressures these policies may exert on budgetary sustainability. Overall, the analysis suggests that in such crisis periods, it is essential to go beyond temporary measures and to implement lasting structural reforms-such as strengthening healthcare systems, expanding social protection networks, and improving tax structures-to ensure the durability of post-pandemic economic recovery.