Synthesis analysis
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Education is followed by social protection (social services and benefits as well as investment in social infrastructure for families, children and youth, elderly, the unemployed, disabled people, deprived persons, immigrants, etc.). SNG spending in this area represented 1.9% of GDP in 2013 for all countries (2.8% in federal countries and 1.7% in unitary countries). The third highest spending area is general public services (1.9% of GDP), a function which accounted for 4.6% in federal countries and only 1.3% in unitary countries. This function includes all expenses relating to the organisation and operation of government, the collection of taxes and the management of public debt.
Figure 12. Breakdown of SNG expenditure by economic function as a % of GDP (2013)
Defence, security and public order Environmental protection Recreation, culture and religion Housing and community amenities Economic affairs & transport Health General public services Social protection Education
(61)
Spending on health represented 1.5% of GDP, and as much as 3.4% of GDP in federal countries where SNGs, in particular state governments, often have wide responsibilities, including the management of public hospitals, specialised medical services and basic healthcare. SNG spending on economic affairs (economic interventions in the industrial, energy, mining, agricultural and construction sectors, etc.) and transportation (roads, public transport, etc.) also represented 1.5% of GDP, reaching 3.0% in federal countries. Housing and community amenities (water supply, public lighting, urban heating, social housing, community development, etc.) accounted for 0.6% of GDP for all countries, be they federal or unitary.
(51)
(10)
Spending on recreation, culture and religion (sports, libraries, recreational areas, museums, cultural heritage, etc.) and environmental protection (waste, sewerage, parks and green areas, air pollution, noises, soil protection, nature preservation, water quality, etc.) accounted for respectively 0.5% and 0.4% of GDP. Public order and safety includes local and regional police services, fire-protection services, prisons, civil protection and emergency services. Defence remains marginal as it is very rarely a subnational responsibility. Taken together, they represented 0.3% of GDP for all 61 countries but more than 1.1% of GDP in federal countries where state governments may have significant responsibilities for public order and safety.