In 2008, expenditure on social protection accounted for more than 32.0 per cent of total general government expenditure, followed by that on economic affairs (16.5 per cent) and the general public service (15.0 per cent).

Total general government expenditure for 2008 increased by e239.4 million compared to the previous year. The main increases were reported under economic affairs (+e99.8 million), primarily due to the reclassification of Malta Shipyards and to the shipyards’ voluntary retirement schemes, and under social protection (+e47.8 million) due to additional outlays on social benefits in cash.

Other increases were recorded under general public services, education, environment protection and housing and community amenities.

The expenditure pattern is consistent across the whole time series, the National Statistics Office said.

Indeed, in 2008 social protection made up more than 32.0 per cent of total expenditure, while expenditure on recreation and culture accounted for the lowest share (1.4 per cent) of total expenditure.

During 2008, the share of total general government expenditure as a percentage of GDP increased to 44.8 per cent, from 42.5 per cent the previous year.

The data of general government expenditure at the second (more detailed) level allows for a greater analysis of public spending. This data is now available for the period 2001-2008. For 2008, the largest COFOG groups are old age (e446.7 million), hospital services (e201.1 million), public debt transactions (e190.1 million) and transport (e183.4 million).