In the first quarter of this year, contributory benefits outlay totalled €355.3 million, 12.0% higher than 2024, the National Statistics Office said today.

Government outlay towards social security benefits rose by €43.7 million during the same period in comparison to 2024.

The NSO noted that spending on social security benefits amounted to €441.7 million, 11.0% higher than the €398.0 million recorded by the end of March 2024. Higher expenditure was reported for both Contributory (€38.0 million) and Non-Contributory Benefits (€5.7 million)

Among the Contributory categories, pensions in respect of retirement registered the largest increase at €27.0 million.

The largest cohort of contributory beneficiaries was registered under the two-thirds pension (58,616), the NSO said.

Non-contributory expenditure amounted to €86.4 million, a 7.1% increase from the prior year.

Between January and March 2025, there were 42,787 families in receipt of the Children’s allowance.

Furthermore, the number of claimants of assistance to help the elderly live independently numbered 42,428.

File photo: NSO

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