Social Protection Expenditure in Ireland 2024: Preliminary Estimate of €69.9 Billion (cso.ie)

• Social protection spending in Ireland 2024: €69.9 billion, +5.9% vs 2023
• Largest function: Sickness/Healthcare at €30 billion (44.4%)
• Ireland has second highest share of means-tested benefits in EU (25%)

"The Central Statistics Office (CSO) released provisional data showing social protection expenditure in Ireland reached €69.9 billion in 2024, a 5.9% increase from 2023. This equates to 12% of GDP or 22% of modified Gross National Income (GNI*). The largest expenditure categories were Sickness/Healthcare (€30 billion) and Old Age (€18.4 billion). Funding came 61% from general government revenue and 33% from social contributions. Ireland has the second highest proportion of means-tested benefits in the EU at 25%."