According to the National Statistics Office social protection remained the core function of government expenditure in 2023, representing 27.0% of total General Government expenditure, followed by expenditure on Economic affairs and General public services.

In 2023, total General Government expenditure increased by €611.7 million over 2021, amounting to €7,501.4 million. When expressed as a percentage of GDP, the expenditure in 2023 was 36.5%, down from 37.7 in 2022.

Social protection was the primary expenditure function last year amounting to €2,025.8 million, the NSO said that this was an increase of €235.7 million over 2022 with the main increase reported in social benefits (€89.1 million).

The NSO noted that the three main expenditure categories in 2023 were compensation of employees (25.9%), social benefits in cash or in kind (22.1%) and intermediate consumption (19.7%).

In 2023, the largest contribution of government expenditure went to Old age (€1,231.1 million), Executive and legislative organs, financial, fiscal and external affairs (€619.3 million) and Hospital services (€570.4 million).

File photo: NSO

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