Over €330 billion were spent in 2014 in the European Union (EU) on family/child benefits. This represents 8.6% of total social benefits, ranking the function "Family and children" on the third position after "Old age and survivors" (45.9%) and "Sickness, healthcare and disability" (36.5%).
Share of family/children benefits highest in Luxembourg and Ireland
The relative significance of benefits for the family and children varied between Member States. It accounted for about 12% or more of total social benefits in Luxembourg (15.6%), Ireland (13.1%) and Hungary (11.9%), but for less than 5% in the Netherlands (3.1%), Greece (4.4%) and Portugal (4.6%). Differences in the fertility rate and the relative size of the youth population may partly influence these shares.
The source dataset can be found here.
An expenditure above 1000 euros per inhabitant was registered in Luxembourg* (with € 3 090), as well as in Denmark (€1 668), Sweden (€1 368), Finland (€1 212), Germany (€1 132), Austria (€1 071) and Ireland (€1 060). At the opposite end of the scale, expenditure stood below 200 euros per inhabitant in Romania (€91), Bulgaria (€112), Lithuania (€135), Latvia (€154), Croatia (€155), Poland (€166), Greece (€182) and Portugal (€195). On average in the EU, expenditure on family/child benefits amounted to €651 per inhabitant.
This information is published by Eurostat on the occasion of the International Day of Families held on 15 May.
* The value is overestimated for Luxembourg compared with other countries, as a significant proportion of benefits are paid to persons living outside the country.
For more information:
Eurostat website section dedicated to social protection statistics
Eurostat Statistics Explained article on family and children benefits