Greece recorded the lowest increase in social protection benefits spending among European Union countries in 2025, according to new figures released by Eurostat. Spending rose by just 0.6%, compared with an EU-wide increase of 4.9%, placing Greece at the bottom of the bloc for annual growth in social protection expenditure.
The figures show that social protection spending increased across all 27 EU member states. However, the pace of growth varied considerably between countries. Greece’s increase was 4.3 percentage points below the EU average. Romania recorded the second-smallest rise at 0.7%, followed by Finland at 1.3%.
The findings add to concerns about social conditions in Greece. An earlier European Commission assessment found that Greece’s social benefits were less effective at reducing poverty than those in many other EU countries.
Social protection spending rises across Europe
Across the EU, spending on social protection benefits reached an estimated €5.18 trillion in 2025, representing a 4.9% increase from the previous year. Croatia recorded the largest annual increase at 15.4%, followed by Bulgaria at 12.1% and Lithuania at 11.6%. These differences show that while Greece reported the lowest growth in social protection benefits spending, several other European countries recorded double-digit increases.
Greece recorded the EU's lowest growth in social protection benefits spending in 2025, rising just 0.6% against the EU average of 4.9%.
Meanwhile, Croatia, Bulgaria and Lithuania recorded double-digit increases, according to Eurostat. pic.twitter.com/Cqs4l6vZEh
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) November 6, 2026
The figures come as Greece continues to face wider financial pressures. Separate Eurostat data showed that 27.5% of Greece’s population was at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, compared with an EU average of 20.9%.
What social protection benefits cover
Social protection benefits include financial assistance and services intended to help households facing economic and social difficulties. These payments and services cover pensions, healthcare, disability support, unemployment benefits, housing assistance and financial support for families and children. The figures also include assistance for surviving family members and people facing social exclusion.
Healthcare remains an important concern in Greece. Earlier Eurostat findings showed that the country had the highest reported rate of unmet medical needs in the EU in 2024.
Eurostat said the latest social protection figures are early estimates. They measure annual changes in total spending rather than the amount of assistance received by individual households.
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