 Social benefits
Social protection expenditures have a significant weight in European economies, as they amount to 28% of GDP in EU 25 on average and to more than 20% in most countries. Their actual level is higher in the most developed countries. Breakdown of social expenditure varies significantly from one country to another. However, old age and sickness are consistently the major items.
Social protection expenditure consists of transfers in cash or in kind, by social protection schemes to households or individuals to relieve them of the burden of a defined set of risks and needs.
Did you know? • In 2003, 96% of the overall EU 25 social benefits expenditure was spent in former EU 15 countries.
• Old age, the dominant social benefits expenditure in EU 25, totalled €1,133 billion in 2004. | • Sickness/health care expenditure had the highest growth between 2000 and 2004 (23%). | | indicators Annual social protection expenditure per head
  Social benefits expenditure in EU 25
 Social benefits expenditure in selected countries
|
