EU Countries with Top Social Security Assistance for Families
EU Family Benefits Spending Varies Widely Across Countries
In 2022, the European Union (EU) saw a significant variation in spending on family benefits per person, with Luxembourg leading the pack with an impressive allocation of €3,789 per person, more than double that of the next highest spender, Denmark, which spent €1,878 per person [1][3].
The Scandinavian countries followed closely behind, with Norway (€2,277), Iceland (€1,874), Sweden (€1,449), and Finland (€1,440) rounding out the top five. Germany spent €1,616, while Belgium and France came lower at around €976 and €867 respectively [3].
On the other end of the spectrum, the lowest family support spending in the EU was seen in Bulgaria (€211), Greece (€264), and Cyprus (€277) [1][3]. This pattern of higher family support spending concentrated in Scandinavian and Western European countries, with Luxembourg significantly ahead, while southern and eastern European countries tend to have much lower spend per capita on family-related social benefits [3].
The overall spending on family benefits per person in Europe has increased over the past decade, with the EU average rising from €566 in 2012 to €830 in 2022, a 47% increase [2]. This upward trend is evident across many EU countries, including Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, which spent €1,616, €524, and €1,375 per person respectively on family benefits in 2022 [1][3].
However, there are exceptions to this trend. The Netherlands, for instance, offers family benefits of €670 per person, which is €160 below the EU average [1]. Despite France spending €867 per person on family benefits, falling short of the €1,000 mark, it still exceeds the EU average [1].
In 2022, Luxembourg clearly held the top spot in family support spending, with the highest spending on family benefits per person, while Bulgaria held the unfortunate position of the lowest spending [1][3]. The variation in spending on family benefits per person across EU countries is significant, highlighting the need for further analysis and potential policy adjustments to ensure equitable distribution of resources across the region.
[1] Eurostat (2023). Family benefits spending per person in the EU, 2012-2022. [2] Eurostat (2023). Trends in EU family benefits spending, 2012-2022. [3] European Commission (2023). Analysis of EU family benefits spending, 2022.
- The EU's expenditure on family health and wellness, such as parenting, can greatly vary, with countries like Luxembourg investing significantly more, providing €3,789 per person in 2022.
- In contrast, some countries, like Bulgaria, invest less in family health and wellness, offering only €211 per person in the same year.
- Science and finance also play a role in this picture, as some nations, such as Germany, prioritize both family support and financial stability, spending €1,616 per person on family benefits in 2022.
