Social protection spending as share of total government spending in France
France: Social protection spending as share of total government spending was 40.9% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Social protection spending as share of total government spending in France, 2007–2023
Source: OECD (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in % of government expenditure.
Analysis
France recorded 40.9% for social protection spending as share of total government spending in 2023.
That represents a change of up 0.4% on the previous year and down 1.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, social protection spending as share of total government spending in France peaked at 44.1% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 40.6%, in 2008.
That places France 5th out of 37 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
Social protection spending as share of total government spending in France, year by year
| Year | % of government expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 40.8% | — |
| 2008 | 40.6% | -0.5% |
| 2009 | 41.0% | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 41.1% | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 41.6% | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 41.9% | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 41.7% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 42.0% | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 42.2% | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 42.6% | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 42.2% | -1.1% |
| 2018 | 42.6% | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 43.3% | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 44.1% | +2.0% |
| 2021 | 41.7% | -5.4% |
| 2022 | 40.8% | -2.4% |
| 2023 | 40.9% | +0.4% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 40.9% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 37.5%, 1.1× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- France's 40.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 36.4%, 1.1× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 40.8% | 40.6% | 41.0% | 3 |
| 2010s | 42.1% | 41.1% | 43.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 41.9% | 40.8% | 44.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near France
More reference data data for France
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 18.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 11.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 14.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 106.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.3 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is social protection spending as share of total government spending in France?
- Social protection spending as share of total government spending in France was 40.9% in 2023, according to OECD (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest social protection spending as share of total government spending recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 44.1% in 2020.
- What is the lowest social protection spending as share of total government spending recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 40.6% in 2008.
- How does France rank for social protection spending as share of total government spending?
- France ranks 5th out of 37 countries with data for 2023.
- Is social protection spending as share of total government spending rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from OECD (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Social protection spending as share of total government spending. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
General government expenditure on social protection. This data is divided by total government expenditure, expressed as a percentage.