Public policy evaluation in France: Mixed progress during the five-year term 2012-2017

Antoine Bozio (1, 2, 3) , Lucile Romanello (3)

1 PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques
2 PSE - Paris School of Economics
3 IPP - Institut des politiques publiques

The scientific evaluation of the impact of public policies offers the possibility of a public debate based on solidly established facts, and, ultimately, the implementation of more effective policies. This brief offers the results of the five-year presidential term of 2012-2017 concerning the development of the evaluation process in France. The results are mixed: very positive, with the introduction of open data (access to administrative data for research purposes, etc.), but clearly less encouraging for actual evaluation research. Despite announcements made at the highest level, it must be acknowledged that the evaluation of public policies remains limited in France. It is most often reduced to an exercise in controlling funds spent, within the framework of audits. To correct this situation, it seems more necessary than ever to promote scientific evaluation, for example through dedicated funding from the French National Research Agency (ANR).

Domaines: Economies et finances

Antoine Bozio, Lucile Romanello. Public policy evaluation in France: Mixed progress during the five-year term 2012-2017. 2017. ⟨halshs-02522853⟩