Unlocking Public Support: How Communication about Program Design Affects Public Perception of IMF Interventions

Abstract

Abstract Does communication about International Monetary Fund (IMF) programs influence citizen support for reforms and the institution itself? Using a survey experiment in Pakistan, we investigate whether emphasizing specific program content—tax increases, budget cuts, or social welfare packages—shifts public opinion. We find that while highlighting adjustment costs like tax hikes and spending cuts reduces program support, emphasizing the continuity of social protection increases it. Notably, information about costly adjustments does not negatively impact views of the IMF as an institution. These results suggest a “reservoir of confidence” in the IMF’s institutional capability, even when citizens dislike specific policy mandates. This study contributes to the literature on IMF program design and the role of political communication in shaping public support for international organizations and economic reforms.

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