Expenditure on social benefits by function, type of benefit and means-testing by country
Countries reporting
45
Highest
1.30 million Million euro
Germany
Lowest
1,462 Million euro
Montenegro
Median
52,511 Million euro
Years covered
35
1990–2024
Data points
1,443
What the numbers show
Expenditure on social benefits by function, type of benefit and means-testing is currently reported for 45 countries. The highest value is 1.30 million Million euro in Germany; the lowest is 1,462 Million euro in Montenegro.
The median across all reporting countries is 52,511 Million euro, and the mean is 159,473 Million euro.
The gap between the highest and lowest reporting country is a factor of about 889.
Expenditure on social benefits by function, type of benefit and: full country ranking
| # | Country | Latest | Year | 10-year change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 1.30 million Million euro | 2024 | up 59.1% | rising |
| 2 | France | 889,479 Million euro | 2023 | up 31.0% | rising |
| 3 | Italy | 625,100 Million euro | 2024 | up 34.8% | rising |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 617,697 Million euro | 2018 | up 25.6% | rising |
| 4 | United Kingdom | 617,697 Million euro | 2018 | up 25.6% | rising |
| 6 | Spain | 401,818 Million euro | 2024 | up 55.3% | rising |
| 7 | Netherlands | 295,743 Million euro | 2024 | up 57.7% | rising |
| 8 | Netherlands | 271,229 Million euro | 2023 | up 47.1% | rising |
| 9 | Switzerland | 220,502 Million euro | 2023 | up 70.0% | volatile |
| 10 | Poland | 202,758 Million euro | 2024 | up 161.3% | rising |
| 10 | Poland | 202,758 Million euro | 2024 | up 161.3% | rising |
| 12 | Belgium | 177,829 Million euro | 2024 | up 53.4% | rising |
| 13 | Austria | 157,650 Million euro | 2024 | up 63.5% | rising |
| 14 | Sweden | 152,715 Million euro | 2024 | up 20.9% | rising |
| 15 | Türkiye | 137,062 Million euro | 2024 | up 64.6% | rising |
| 16 | Denmark | 109,295 Million euro | 2024 | up 24.7% | rising |
| 17 | Norway | 109,196 Million euro | 2023 | up 15.6% | rising |
| 18 | Finland | 89,582 Million euro | 2024 | up 40.2% | rising |
| 19 | Portugal | 67,117 Million euro | 2024 | up 52.2% | rising |
| 20 | Czechia | 65,368 Million euro | 2024 | up 118.6% | volatile |
| 21 | Ireland | 63,754 Million euro | 2023 | up 60.9% | volatile |
| 22 | Greece | 54,307 Million euro | 2024 | up 19.7% | rising |
| 23 | Romania | 52,511 Million euro | 2023 | up 150.1% | volatile |
| 24 | Hungary | 34,247 Million euro | 2024 | up 65.8% | rising |
| 25 | Slovakia | 27,726 Million euro | 2024 | up 102.8% | volatile |
| 25 | Slovakia | 27,726 Million euro | 2024 | up 102.8% | volatile |
| 27 | Bulgaria | 20,735 Million euro | 2024 | up 170.4% | volatile |
| 28 | Luxembourg | 19,492 Million euro | 2024 | up 81.1% | volatile |
| 29 | Croatia | 18,593 Million euro | 2024 | up 99.9% | rising |
| 29 | Croatia | 18,593 Million euro | 2024 | up 99.9% | rising |
| 31 | Slovenia | 15,890 Million euro | 2024 | up 80.0% | rising |
| 32 | Serbia | 15,165 Million euro | 2024 | up 98.0% | rising |
| 33 | Slovenia | 14,619 Million euro | 2023 | up 66.0% | rising |
| 34 | Lithuania | 13,857 Million euro | 2024 | up 162.1% | volatile |
| 35 | Lithuania | 12,350 Million euro | 2023 | up 143.8% | volatile |
| 36 | Iceland | 8,268 Million euro | 2024 | up 169.4% | volatile |
| 37 | Latvia | 7,553 Million euro | 2024 | up 124.5% | volatile |
| 37 | Latvia | 7,553 Million euro | 2024 | up 124.5% | volatile |
| 39 | Estonia | 7,098 Million euro | 2024 | up 140.6% | volatile |
| 39 | Estonia | 7,098 Million euro | 2024 | up 140.6% | volatile |
| 41 | Cyprus | 6,275 Million euro | 2024 | up 82.5% | rising |
| 42 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5,578 Million euro | 2024 | up 98.5% | rising |
| 43 | Malta | 3,069 Million euro | 2024 | up 96.2% | volatile |
| 44 | Albania | 2,861 Million euro | 2024 | up 65.7% | rising |
| 45 | Montenegro | 1,462 Million euro | 2024 | up 103.3% | rising |
Regions and income groups
Aggregates are excluded from the country ranking above so that a region can never outrank a country.
- European Economic Area except Liechtenstein 4.72 million Million euro
- European Union - 27 countries (from 2020) 4.61 million Million euro
- European Union - 28 countries (2013-2020) 4.23 million Million euro
- European Union - 27 countries (2007-2013) 4.22 million Million euro
- Euro area – 21 countries (from 2026) 4.04 million Million euro
- Euro area – 20 countries (2023-2025) 4.02 million Million euro
- Euro area - 19 countries (2015-2022) 4.01 million Million euro
- European Union - 15 countries (1995-2004) 3.98 million Million euro
- European Free Trade Association except Liechtenstein 337,077 Million euro