In 2007 the outlay on Social Protection took up more than 32.6 per cent of total general government expenditure, followed by the outlay on General Public Services (15.0 per cent) and on Economic Affairs (14.0 per cent), the National Statistics Office reported yesterday.

Total general government expenditure for 2007 increased by e74.9m compared to the previous year. Expenditure on social protection and economic affairs added e37.1m and e26.5m respectively. These increases were brought about by additional outlays on social benefits in cash and the energy support measures. Other increases were recorded under education, general public services and public order and safety. On the other hand expenditure under the health category declined by e10.2m.

The expenditure pattern is consistent across the series, with social protection making up 32.6 per cent of total expenditure in 2007. In contrast, expenditure on recreation and culture made up 1.4 per cent of total expenditure.

The total general government expenditure as a percentage of GDP declined to 42.2 per cent in 2007, compared to 43.6 per cent the previous year.

The data of general government expenditure at the second (more detailed) level allows for a deeper analysis of public spending. These data are now available for the period 2003-2007. For 2007, old age (e402.1m), hospital services (e229.9m) and public debt transactions (e184.7m) were the COFOG groups reporting the highest outlays.