EU Runs Around 27% of GDP for Social Protection

In the EU, social protection expenditure accounted for 26.9% of GDP in 2006. At the top were France, Denmark, Germany and Belgium. The ratio has dropped slightly from 27.1% in 2005 and 2004 and 27.2% in 2003. Many countries obtain a high percentage of social service funds through individualized taxes on employees and employers. While Denmark is at the opposite end of the spectrum, paying the highest percentage within the EU from general tax funds at 63%.