Economy > Public expenditure > Social expenditure > Public social expenditure: Countries Compared
DEFINITION:
Public social expenditure comprises cash benefits, direct "in-kind” provision of goods and services, and tax breaks with social purposes. To be considered "social”, benefits have to address one or more social goals. Benefits may be targeted at low-income households, but they may also be for the elderly, disabled, sick, unemployed, or young persons. Programmes regulating the provision of social benefits have to involve: a) redistribution of resources across households, or b) compulsory participation. Social benefits are regarded as public when general government (that is central, state, and local governments, including social security funds) controls relevant financial flows. The expenditures shown here refer only to public social benefits and exclude similar benefits provided by private charities.
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Interesting observations about Economy > Public expenditure > Social expenditure > Public social expenditure
- Sweden ranked first for public expenditure > social expenditure > public social expenditure amongst High income OECD countries in 2009.
- United States ranked last for public expenditure > social expenditure > public social expenditure amongst Group of 7 countries (G7) in 2009.
- All of the top 10 countries by public expenditure > social expenditure > public social expenditure are Christian.
- France ranked first for public expenditure > social expenditure > public social expenditure amongst NATO countries in 2009.
- All of the top 6 countries by public expenditure > social expenditure > public social expenditure are European.
- Ireland ranked second last for public expenditure > social expenditure > public social expenditure amongst European Union in 2009.
- Canada ranked second last for public expenditure > social expenditure > public social expenditure amongst Non-religious countries in 2009.
- Germany ranked third for public expenditure > social expenditure > public social expenditure amongst Eurozone in 2009.
- United Kingdom ranked first for public expenditure > social expenditure > public social expenditure amongst English speaking countries in 2009.
- 6 of the top 7 countries by public expenditure > social expenditure > public social expenditure are Cold countries'.