to draw up an economic classification of government e.Yrenditure in Africa 3/ or tc determine the relative contribution of dif­ ferent items to the growth of ordinary expenditure. Neverthe­ less, the increase in current public outlays can be attributed to give main factcrs, namely: (a) the need to provide social ser­ vices bel ow cost t c the relatively poor part of the porulati on; (b) subsidies to consumers for basic fcoc commodities; 4/ (c) subsidies to troubled public enterprises; (d) government employ­ ment policies, coupled with wage increases; and (e) acr.:inistra­ tive difficulties in controlling expenciture. Another element which has probably gained in importance in the last twc years is the growth in payments of interest on public debt resulting from the increase in the outstanding debt of African countries and the world-wide rise in interest rates. In the countries belonging to the West African ~1cnetary Union, for eJ<ample, 5/ payments to ser­ vice the public debt in 1981 increased by 10.~ per cent, after a rise of 2.7 per cent in 1980. · 6. Expenditure on education and health continuec to absorb a larre part of current outlays. Althoufh their share in the cur­ rent budget declined by 1.3 per cent in 1981, about 25 per cent of current buc[et funds was allocated to these sectors. Never­ theless, povernment health eYpenditure in Africa in 1981 was still less than half the level in industrial countries. The share of ecucation and health eJ<penditure combined was hifhest fer the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (37.5 per cent), Swaziland (36.2 per cent), Al[eria (32.6 per cent) anc Zimbabwe (31.4 per cent). Althcurh an upwarc trend was apparent in the median value of the share of expenditure on agriculture in total current outlays, it remained the same (at 4.9 per cent) in 1980 anc 1981. The share 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the economic classification of government expenditure in Africa, specifically highlighting the main factors contributing to the growth of ordinary expenditure. It also mentions the allocation of funds to various sectors, including education, health, and agriculture. The text does not specifically mention natural resources, industry, transport, communication, international trade, employment, humanitarian aid, culture, or science and technology.

**Category**
Economic development, Education, Health