28/02/2023 (Agence Europe) – In 2021, total government expenditure in the European Union amounted to 51.5% of GDP, in a figure that is still influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic according to data published by the EU’s statistical office (Eurostat) on Tuesday 28 February. Social spending accounted for an average of 20.5% of GDP (+€41 billion compared to 2020), health 8.1% (+€103 billion), economic affairs 6.3% (+€96 billion) and education 4.8%. In terms of public spending on social protection, there are wide variations between Member States, ranging from 8.7% of national GDP in Ireland to 24.8% in France. For health, the highest ratios were noted in Austria (10.1%), the Czech Republic (9.8%), Denmark and France (both 9.2%). With regard to education, spending levels were highest in Sweden (6.7%), Belgium (6.3%) and Denmark (6.0%). (MB)