Amyra Asamoah is a Research Analyst in the Expenditure Policy Division of the Fiscal Affairs Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Prior to joining the IMF, she completed policy internships at The Wilson Center, a DC-based think tank, and the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. The scope of her research has included areas of energy reform, infrastructure investment, pensions, urban development, and social impact technology. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Communications from Indiana University. She is also an incoming Master in Public Policy and MBA candidate at Harvard University.
Despite a growing global consensus about the need for reform of costly and environmentally damaging energy price subsidies, many countries remain resistant. This column takes stock of recent developments in the context of a database of diesel prices. Environmental concerns seem to play a role in driving reform, but most reforming countries have been facing large fiscal imbalances.