Family social security benefits remain a crucial tool in tackling child poverty across Europe, but the amount governments spend per person varies dramatically, new Eurostat data shows.
In 2022, European Union (EU) countries spent an average of €830 per person on family benefits—a 47% jump from €566 in 2012. These payments, which help households cover the costs of raising children and promote social inclusion, are considered vital in preventing child poverty.
However, spending levels differ sharply across the continent. Luxembourg topped the EU list at €3,789 per person, followed by Nordic countries such as Norway (€2,277), Denmark (€1,878), Iceland (€1,874), Sweden (€1,449), and Finland (€1,440). At the other end of the scale, Bulgaria spent just €211 per person, while Albania, an EU candidate, offered only €48. Turkey (€57) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (€59) also ranked among the lowest.
Germany (€1,616), Switzerland (€1,375), Austria (€1,340), and Ireland (€1,026) all spent over €1,000 per person, with Belgium (€976) and France (€867) slightly below that threshold but still above the EU average. By contrast, Italy (€524) and Spain (€427) fell well short. The Netherlands spent €670 per person—€160 below the EU average.
Spending has generally risen over the past decade. Only Norway and Cyprus saw decreases, while Central and Eastern European countries recorded the largest increases. Poland’s per-person benefits surged by 320%, followed by Latvia (245%), Romania (227%), and Lithuania (198%).
Dr. Anne Daguerre of the University of Bristol noted that Nordic countries and France often deliver more support through in-kind services, such as childcare, which are not fully reflected in cash benefit comparisons. She also pointed to policy-driven growth in Central and Eastern Europe, where selective pronatalist measures aim to boost birth rates and support traditional family structures.
In Lithuania, the introduction of a universal child benefit in 2018 significantly expanded access, particularly for low-income households. In contrast, some Southern European countries, including Greece and Cyprus, have shown little growth in spending despite low fertility rates.
Family benefits, as defined by the European Commission, include cash or in-kind payments to meet family expenses under national social security systems. These range from child allowances and parental leave payments to childcare subsidies for working parents.
While spending levels differ, experts caution against direct comparisons. “The question is whether all countries classify benefits in the same manner,” said Professor Grega Strban from the University of Ljubljana, noting that some systems focus on parents, others on children, and that eligibility rules also vary.
As Europe grapples with demographic challenges and economic pressures, the debate over how much—and how best—to invest in family support is set to remain a key policy issue.
