Series: Working Papers. 2202.
Author: Juan S. Mora-Sanguinetti and Isabel Soler.
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Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present the results of a novel database of sectoral regulation at a disaggregated level in Spain. Objective indicators of the volume of new regulation have been constructed for 23 sectors of activity, adopted by each Autonomous Region (Comunidad Autónoma), year by year over the period 1995-2020. In total, 206,777 norms have been identified and classified. The indicators show that new sectoral regulation in Spain is increasing over time, but there are significant differences both between sectors and between Autonomous Regions. Thus, the services and agricultural sectors are relatively more frequently regulated than the industrial ones. On a temporal scale, it is possible to observe that regulators pass new regulations more frequently in downturns. This trend is particularly noticeable in 2020, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the recreational, hospitality, commerce and textile industry sectors. These quantitative results, which are presented as a panel database, open the possibility of further studies on the impact and adequacy of the institutional framework, in particular its regulatory pillar, on elements such as sectoral value added, productivity by sector or business demographics.