The article examines government pay and employment worldwide in the early 1900s. It shows that government jobs are linked to lower wages but higher fiscal deficits and income. Africa and Latin America have the strongest results. Civil service reform should focus on workforce size, incentives, and accountability tailored to each country's needs. Retrenchment should be done carefully to avoid skill loss and lower-quality service. Adequate pay is crucial, and performance bonuses may not work well in developing countries. Greater external openness and feedback from service users are key for improving accountability.