Government; social benefits

Government; social benefits

Benefits Periods Social benefits (million euros)
Total social benefits 2023* 212,598
Total statutory social security benefits 2023* 155,766
Act on Work and Income based on Work ... 2023* 10,475
Compulsory Health Insurance Act (ZFW-vp) 2023* 0
Disability Benefits Act (WAO) 2023* 3,833
General Disability Benefits Act (AAW) 2023* 0
General Exceptional Medical Expenses Act 2023* -4
General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW) 2023* 47,935
General Surviving Relatives Act (Anw) 2023* 356
Health Care Insurance Act (Zvw) 2023* 52,685
Long-term care Act (Wlz) 2023* 30,939
Self-Employed Persons Disability Bene... 2023* 65
Sickness Benefits Act (ZW) 2023* 0
Sickness Benefits Act safety net (ZW-... 2023* 2,597
Unemployment Benefits Act (WW) 2023* 3,517
Work and Care Act (WAZO) 2023* 3,368
Total social assistance benefits 2023* 56,832
Assistance for transport of schoolchi... 2023* 349
Assistance to older and partially dis... 2023* 272
Child benefit (kgb) 2023* 3,656
Childcare 2023* 4,253
Disability Assistance Act for Handica... 2023* 4,091
Early childhood education and care 2023* 213
General Family Allowance Act (AKW) 2023* 4,365
Health care allowance 2023* 7,950
Reintegration benefits 2023* 144
Rent benefit 2023* 4,198
Social Support Act (Wmo) 2023* 7,190
Student finance 2023* 2,981
Supplementary Fund (Tf) 2023* 793
Supplementary income for the elderly ... 2023* 406
Welfare 2023* 6,627
Youth Act 2023* 4,613
Other social assistance benefits 2023* 4,731
Source: CBS.
Explanation of symbols

Table explanation


This table contains information on social benefits provided by general government. The terms and definitions used for the totals are in accordance with the framework of National Accounts. National Accounts are based on the international definitions of the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010). Small temporary differences with publications of the National Accounts may occur due to the fact that government finance statistics are sometimes more up to date. The terms used for the individual social benefits are based on national legislation. Social benefits by employers in the context of other employment related social insurance schemes are not included in this table.

Data available from:
Yearly figures from 1995.

Status of the figures:
The figures for the period 1995-2022 are final. The figures for 2023 are provisional.

Changes as of 24 June 2024:
Annual figures for year 2023 are available.
The annual figures for 2022 are now final.
In the context of the revision policy of National accounts, the annual figures from 1995 have been revised.

When will new figures be published?
Yearly figures are published six months after the end of the year concerned.
These yearly figures are revised eighteen months after the end of the year concerned. Please note that there is a possibility that adjustments might take place at the end of March or September, in order to provide the European Commission with the most actual figures.
More information on the revision policy of National Accounts can be found under 'relevant articles' under paragraph 3.

Description topics

Social benefits
Social benefits supplied to households in order to offer financial security against several risks (such as sickness, disability, old age, the death of a relative, and unemployment) or to accommodate for certain needs (such as housing and education). This category constitutes statutory social security benefits and social assistance benefits.