Government Expenditure on Social Security Benefits: January-March 2024
- Contributory Benefits outlay totalled €397.8 million by the end of March 2024, 10.6 per cent higher than 2023.
- The number of Two-Thirds pensioners increased by 2,207 from the corresponding period in 2023.
- Non-Contributory expenditure amounted to €80.5 million, an 11.6 per cent increase from 2023.
- The largest cohort of Contributory beneficiaries was registered under the Two-Thirds Pension (58,541).
- During the first quarter of 2024, 42,510 families obtained Children’s Allowance while 41,053 persons were in receipt of the Assistance to Help the Elderly Live Independently.
Government Expenditure on Social Security Benefits: January-March 2024
Government Expenditure on Social Security Benefits: January-March 2024
Social Security Benefits Expenditure
During the first quarter of 2024, spending on Social Security Benefits totalled €397.8 million, 10.6 per cent higher than the €359.6 million recorded at the end of March 2023. Higher expenditure was reported for both Contributory (€29.9 million) and Non-Contributory Benefits (€8.4 million) (Table 1).
Government spending towards Contributory Benefits amounted to €317.3 million, a 10.4 per cent rise from 2023. Pensions in respect of Retirement recorded the largest increase of €19.9 million, as the number of Two-Thirds pensioners rose by 2,207 individuals. Further increases were registered under Contributory Bonus (€6.9 million), Pensions in respect of Widowhood (€2.9 million) and Other Benefits (€0.2 million) (Table 2).
By the end of March 2024, Non-Contributory spending amounted to €80.5 million, an 11.6 per cent increase in comparison to the previous year. At €4.1 million, the highest rise was reported under Child Allowance, ahead of Assistance to Help the Elderly Live Independently (€1.8 million) and Carers Allowances/Grants (€0.8 million) (Table 3).
Social Security Beneficiaries
During the first three months of 2024, Two-Thirds pensioners totalled 58,541 that was 2,207 more beneficiaries than the corresponding period in 2023. This was the highest increase exhibited among recipients of Contributory Benefits, while, conversely, the biggest drop was registered under Early Survivors’ Pension (229) (Table 2).
The highest number of Non-Contributory beneficiaries was reported under Children’s Allowance (42,510). Furthermore, there were 41,053 persons aged 75 or over in receipt of the Assistance to Help the Elderly Live Independently. Families in receipt of Children’s Allowance Supplement numbered 774 more than the previous year, the largest rise among Non-Contributory Benefits. In contrast, the biggest decline in recipients was witnessed under In-Work Benefit (1,066) (Table 3).
Chart 1. Social Security Benefits Expenditure
January-March in € million
No Data Found
Contributory Benefits
January-March 2024
Non-Contributory Benefits
January-March 2024
Methodological Notes
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