Structure of General Government Expenditure on Social Protection in the EU Member States

Abstract

The subject of research are the main areas of social policy in relation to general government expenditure on social protection. The article aim to evaluate the volume and structure of general government expenditure on social protection, accentuating similarities and differences in EU member states. Research byl proveden for the period 2007-2016 using the method of cluster analysis and boxplot. In connection to the goal have been verified three research questions. RQ1: Are the largest differences in the volume of general government expenditure on social protection present between Nordic countries compared to Eastern European countries and Baltic states? RQ2: Does expenditure on old age account for the most significant share and on sickness and disability the second most significant share in the structure of general government expenditure on social protection? RQ3: Do the differences in the volume and structure of general government expenditure on social protection in EU member states depend on the character of welfare states and the type of social protection? The results confirmed the largest differences in the volume of general government expenditure on social protection between Nordic countries compared to Eastern European and Baltic states (RQ1). The most significant share in the structure of general government expenditure on social protection is represented by expenditure on old age and sickness and disability in the majority of EU countries (RQ2). Research question (RQ3) confirmed the largest differences in government expenditure on old age and survivors (two countries of the second cluster, compared to the countries of the fourth cluster) and in government expenditure on sickness and disability (countries of the third cluster, compared to the countries of the fourth cluster). Nevertheless, these differences between groups of expenditure on social protection failed to confirm for all EU member states representing the respective welfare state and social model. Differences between countries expenditure levels partly reflect diverse levels of wealth, but also diversity in social protection systems, welfare policy, demographic trends, unemployment rates and other social, institutional and economic factors.

How the Pandemic Affects the Social Security System Especially the Unemployment and the Immigration Data

“…It was statistically noted (Halaskova, 2018) a change in the behaviour of unemployed people who receive social benefits by increasingly defective job search if the benefits received are from good up. The motivation to look for a good job decreases compared to a situation where it would not receive any benefits at all or would receive rather few short-term benefits.…”

Analysing the relationship between unemployment benefits and unemployment duration

“…In addition to the monetary amount of cash transfers, the intervals between receiving benefits is also important. A longer hiatus in receiving unemployment benefits can lead to loss of motivation for reintegration into the labour market (see, for example, Halaskova 2018). The effects of unemployment benefits on the labour market are numerous and often contradictory.…”

A comparative analysis of the European Union member states in terms of public spending on environmental protection in 2004-2017

“…Public social expenditure is a popular area of study (e.g. (Halaskova, 2018;Leitner and Stehrer, 2016;Szarowska, 2011)). Halaskova (2018) clustered countries due to their public social expenditure.…”

“…(Halaskova, 2018;Leitner and Stehrer, 2016;Szarowska, 2011)). Halaskova (2018) clustered countries due to their public social expenditure. Convergence in the case of public social expenditure was also studied (De Simone et al, 2010).…”

“…Modifications of the research approach applied can also be found in the publications of Halaskova (2018) andDe Simone et al (2010).…”