State of the Northeast rises 11 positions in 3 years; Espírito Santo takes leadership based on fiscal balance
Maranhão was the State that made the most progress in public management in Brazil from 2023 to 2025, according to a survey by the CLP (Public Leadership Center). The federation unit rose 11 positions in the ranking, moving from 20th place to 9th in the period. The State governor is (PSB).
The main factor for the jump was the improvement in fiscal solidity, an indicator in which the State advanced 12 places. There was also a gain in the efficiency of the public sector, with an increase of 4 positions.
The survey is part of the “State Competitiveness Ranking 2026 – Elections”, which analyzes the performance of state administrations based on objective indicators.
Espírito Santo assumed national leadership in public management. The State presented a consistent trajectory throughout the three-year period: it was placed 3rd in 2023, 2nd in 2024 and reached 1st place in 2025. The governor of the State is Ricardo Ferraço (MDB), since April 2, 2026. He was the vice-president of (PSB), who left to run for the Senate.
Espírito Santo’s performance is mainly supported by fiscal balance. The State was among the first placed in the indicator throughout the entire period and led in the 2 most recent years. It also recorded an improvement in administrative efficiency.
South and Southeast
The survey also shows that states in the South and Southeast regions, such as São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina, remain among the best positioned, but with a slower rate of growth – which indicates stability at higher levels of management.
criteria
The public management dimension of the ranking considers 2 pillars: fiscal solidity and efficiency of the public sector. Among the criteria analyzed are personnel expenses, primary result, investment rate, cost of the Three Powers, offer of digital services and level of transparency.
According to the CLP’s CEO, Tadeu Barros, the objective of the study is to qualify the electoral debate based on evidence. “The proposal is to encourage more efficient and results-oriented public policies”, he stated.
