Social Welfare Spending by Country 2024

Social welfare encompasses government programs and policies designed to improve the well-being and economic security of those within a society. As such, its primary objective is to provide aid and support to those facing things like unemployment, disability, poverty, old age, systemic inequality, and more.

While it may sound simple, social welfare is often a subject of debate, as different governments have varying views on how programs should be applied and funded, and specific programs can vary widely depending on a country’s cultural, political, and economic standing.

Here’s a list of the top 10 countries with the highest percentage of their total GDP spent on social welfare, including benefits and administrative costs.

1. South Africa:

   • Social Assistance Programs: 4.61%
   • Data Years: 2016-2020

2. Colombia:

   • Social Assistance Programs: 3.44%
   • Data Years: 2015-2020
   • Social Expenditure per Capita (2021): $2,627.80
   • Social Expenditure per Capita (2020): $2,605.20
   • Social Expenditure per Capita (2019): $2,278.70

3. Argentina:

   • Social Assistance Programs: 3.26%
   • Data Years: 2020

4. Egypt:

   • Social Assistance Programs: 2.92%
   • Data Years: 2015-2020

5. Algeria:

   • Social Assistance Programs: 2.28%
   • Data Years: 2015-2021

6. India:

   • Social Assistance Programs: 1.43%
   • Data Years: 2016

7. China:

   • Social Assistance Programs: 1.05%
   • Data Years: 2015-2016

8. United States:

   • Social Assistance Programs: 0%
   • Social Expenditure per Capita (2021): $15,257.60
   • Social Expenditure per Capita (2020): $11,777.40

9. Mexico:

   • Social Assistance Programs: 1.62%
   • Data Years: 2019-2020
   • Social Expenditure per Capita (2019): $1,481.70

10. Thailand:

    • Social Assistance Programs: 1.6%
    • Data Years: 2018-2020