Public Sector

Helping governments dramatically improve their capacity to deliver for people
Public sector organizations are key to societal and economic progress and wellbeing. For over 70 years, McKinsey has worked alongside government organizations to improve the lives and livelihoods of their communities, driving transformations that have a significant, positive impact on society. By combining a highly collaborative working model with data-driven insights and leveraging technology solutions to unlock the full potential, we provide an approach tailored to each client’s needs.
Our work spans multiple sectors and functions, including digital and analytics, operations, organization, and strategy. We work end-to-end—from diagnosis to delivery of lasting impact—together generating tangible results that are improving the lives of people worldwide.

Featured

A white sheet of paper has been cut and folded in half, creating the silhouette of a city hall government building. The open space left by the folded paper is filled with dynamic blue and red shapes representing of workers and technology creating efficiencies in state and local government.
Article

Capturing performance opportunities in US state and local governments

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State and local governments in the United States often face a host of funding and workforce challenges, but taking six actions can boost operating performance.

How we help clients

Citizen Experience
Collaborate with government agencies to ensure that they can deliver an exceptional customer experience, including through our distinctive user experience (CX) benchmark and insights.
Tech & AI
Work with government agencies to achieve even greater potential through use of data, AI and cutting-edge solutions, including generative AI and Cloud-native tools.
Government Operations & Productivity
Elevate government performance to achieve ambitious program goals and transform operations by deploying a holistic approach across people, process, and technology.
Reinvesting in Economies
Support government agencies around the world to deliver sustainable and inclusive economic growth that strengthens local workforce and competitiveness
Talent & Capabilities
Assist government agencies to become talent-first public service organizations and realize the potential of their workforce in delivering public service excellence

More from this practice

US State & Local Government
US State & Local Government
We offer the best of McKinsey’s public- and private-sector experience to help our US state and local government clients dramatically improve their capacity to deliver positive outcomes for the communities they serve.
McKinsey Center for Government
McKinsey Center for Government
The McKinsey Center for Government is a new global hub for research, collaboration, and innovation in government performance.

Impact stories

Transforming National Housing Agency
Transforming a national housing agency

Supporting a government agency to improve its operational performance and morale.

Engaging Teachers to Advance Childhood Literacy
Advancing childhood literacy in Brazil

Raising reading proficiency to 85 percent by balancing support and accountability for educators.

Agriculture as an Economic Engine
Boosting agricultural productivity in North Africa

Helping boost agricultural productivity, exports, and raise subsistence farmers out of poverty.

Technician works inside machinery
Blog Post
JobsOhio and the long-term, innovative revitalization of a state’s economy
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How did Ohio become a destination for business growth? A new program turned the state’s economy around, with some help from McKinsey.
Made in Africa: Catalyzing stronger, sustainable, and inclusive economies
Case Study
Made in Africa: Catalyzing stronger, sustainable, and inclusive economies
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Manufacturing is the bedrock of a growing economy. Foreign direct investment can play a key role in nurturing this sector to accelerate sustainability and inclusion in emerging economies.
How a government agency is preparing workers to thrive in the skills-based economy
Case Study
How a government agency is preparing workers to thrive in the skills-based economy
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Australia’s Department of Regional New South Wales, a government agency supporting rural communities across the state, has worked with McKinsey to build a future-ready workforce.

Featured insights

A glowing blue digital grid transforms into a futuristic city skyline, which then becomes enclosed within a dome-like network of luminous lines and data connections. A map of the world is subtly visible in the background.
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How can the public sector meet the AI moment?
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AI can help public sector agencies improve outcomes for residents and make every taxpayer dollar go further. But realizing that...
Reimagining federal procurement in the digital and AI age
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Reimagining federal procurement in the digital and AI age
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Digitalizing federal procurement can improve decision-making, increase efficiency and transparency, and bolster resilience—all...
This image is a digitally generated 3D render of an abstract hexagonal sphere, commonly used as a futuristic technology background.
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Sovereign AI: Building ecosystems for strategic resilience and impact
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Sovereign AI is achievable only through an ecosystem effort that connects energy, compute, data, models, platforms, and applications...
A sprawling data center complex surrounded by greenery and infrastructure. Several rectangular buildings with white roofs are visible, densely packed with cooling units or similar equipment, with at least one building under construction.
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The data center balance: How US states can navigate the opportunities and challenges
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State governments will need to balance a complex range of costs and a full view of the benefits as they weigh their strategies...
See all insights

Our people

Andrew Pickersgill
Senior PartnerToronto
Advises clients in banking, telecommunications, retail, and the public sector and serves on McKinsey’s Shareholders Council,...
Hrishika Vuppala
Senior PartnerSouthern California
Leader in the global digital and analytics work for our Public Sector and Healthcare clients with a focus on driving innovative...
Jonathan Dimson
Senior PartnerLondon
Leads McKinsey’s defense work in Europe, working across governments, defense industrial sectors, private capital, and scale-ups...
Maya Horii
Senior PartnerTokyo
Advises public sector agencies on economic development, digital and sustainability transformation, and partners with Japanese...
Rima Assi
Senior PartnerDubai
Leads our Public Sector Practice in Abu Dhabi; a core founder of our public finance capabilities work. Champions our diversity...
Scott Blackburn
Senior PartnerWashington DC
Works with US federal departments using commercial best practices to solve the government’s toughest problems
Tarek Mansour
Senior PartnerDubai
Counsels leaders on strategy and performance transformations; has over two decades focused on improving ROI for corporations...
See more people

Featured webinar series

Public Sector Webinars - A How To: series

A Public Sector “How to” Series

Rooted in the theme of “how to,” our monthly sessions focus on fostering mindsets that inspire action among public sector leaders around the world. These sessions feature insights from former government leaders who have walked in your shoes and from our McKinsey experts, sharing our top insights, capabilities, and client services.

Keep exploring

Teacher with students
McKinsey’s work for social sector, healthcare, and public entities
Supporting those who serve society
How We Help Clients
Education
Improving outcomes for students, schools, and systems.
Social Sector
Social Sector
Helping leading institutions identify solutions to major societal challenges and improve the health, lives and livelihoods of people around the world

Connect with our Public Sector Practice

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