Share of EU GDP spent on social protection slightly down
According to the analysis published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, social protection expenditure in the European Union (EU) stood at 27.9% of GDP in 2017, slightly down compared with 28.7% in 2012, according to data from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. The two main sources of funding of social protection at EU level were social contributions, making up 55% of total receipts, and general government contributions from taxes at 40%.
The EU average continued to mask major disparities between Member States. In 2017, social protection expenditure represented over 30% of GDP in France (34%), Denmark (32%) and Finland (31%). They were followed by Germany (close to 30%), Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Sweden (all 29%). In contrast, social protection expenditure stood below 20% of GDP in Romania (14%), Latvia, Ireland and Lithuania (all 15%), Estonia and Malta (both 16%), Bulgaria (17%), Slovakia and Hungary (both 18%), Cyprus and Czechia (both 19%).
Highest share for old age and survivors benefits in Greece, Portugal and Italy
On average in the EU, old age & survivors benefits accounted for nearly 46% of total social benefits in 2017 and made up the major part of social protection benefits in nearly all Member States. The share of old age and survivors benefits in the total was highest in Greece (63%), Portugal and Italy (both 58%), Romania and Cyprus (both 56%), while it was lowest in Ireland (34%), Germany and Denmark (39%) and Luxembourg (40%).
Sickness/health care and disability benefits accounted for 37% of total social benefits on average in the EU in 2017. Amongst Member States, the share of these benefits ranged from 23% in Cyprus and 26% in Greece to 45% in Ireland, 44% in Croatia and Germany, 43% in the Netherlands and 42% in Estonia.
Source: Eurostat / Link: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10246894/3-22112019-AP-EN.PDF/e1c0adb8-2e85-7a23-3965-c816861b713a
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