Ireland spends least on welfare payments to pensioners

Ireland spends less money on social welfare payments to pensioners than any other country in the EU.

New figures compiled by the European Commission also show that the Government spends proportionately more on financial supports for unemployed people than any of the other 27 EU states.

The breakdown of spending levels by all 28 EU countries as a percentage of GDP provides insight into the different priorities which various countries attach to issues such as education, health, defence, and social protection.