The approximately 146.2 billion euros that were spent represent a new record high. In 2022, it was still around 136.4 billion euros. With 45 percent, a large part of this went to old-age benefits, 28 percent went to health services.

The increase in social expenditures was stronger than economic growth, according to a report from the Ministry of Social Affairs. As a result, the social quota - the share of social benefits in the gross domestic product (GDP) - rose slightly from 30.5 to 30.9 percent. 97 percent of social expenditures were expenditures for social benefits, the rest went to administrative costs among others. Just under two-thirds were paid out in cash benefits.

Social Expenditures: Expenditures for Old-Age Benefits Increased by 9.1 Percent

Expenditures for old-age benefits - almost entirely pension benefits - increased by 9.1 percent to 64.5 billion euros. This represented about 45 percent of social benefits in 2023. 28 percent (39.9 billion euros, up 6.6 percent from 2022) went to health services. About nine percent went to the family and children sector, about five percent each to the disability, survivors and unemployment sectors, and about three percent to housing and social exclusion.

Broken down by carriers, 55 percent of social expenditures went to social insurance and thus to pensions, health insurance, and unemployment insurance among others. The states and municipalities, with 21 percent - used for minimum security, kindergartens, and hospitals - for the first time had a higher expenditure share than the federal government with 19 percent - used for family allowances and civil servant pensions among others.

Social expenditures in 2023 were financed 39 percent (57 billion euros) from tax funds, 34 percent (50 billion euros) from employer contributions, and 26 percent (37 billion euros) from contributions of protected persons.

(APA/Red)

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