Andorra's Social Spending Hits Record 327 Million Euros in 2024

Andorra's social spending reached a record high in 2024, totaling 327 million euros in aid for vulnerable groups, according to data from the Department of Statistics. This figure marks the peak in the historical series for funding benefits and services aimed at households, driven by population aging, rising care needs, and the growing burden of the pension system.

Of the total, 288 million euros went to direct social benefits for households, another all-time high in both volume and coverage. Most of these—281 million euros—were paid out in cash directly to beneficiaries, while 6.8 million euros were provided in kind, such as soci卫生 services or material aid. The spending underscores the central role of the Social Security Fund (CASS) and public administration in the country's social safety net.

Breakdown by function shows a strong focus on the elderly, who received 60% of resources. Health and illness benefits accounted for 16.5%, disability for 10%, survivor benefits for 7.2%, and family aid for children for 4.8%. Housing and unemployment support took smaller shares at 1.2% and 0.4%, respectively, with social exclusion at just 0.1%.

Funding came primarily from social security contributions, which supplied 251 million euros or 77% of the total—183 million from employers and 68.4 million from workers, self-employed individuals, and pensioners. Public administrations added 72.7 million euros from general revenues, with other sources contributing 2.8 million euros.

Institutionally, the CASS-managed Social Security Fund handled 249.5 million euros, or 77% of consolidated spending. It covered all health and illness benefits (47.5 million euros), old age pensions (149 million euros), disability (26.7 million euros), survivor aid (20.6 million euros), and contributory family benefits (5.6 million euros). The central government managed 38 million euros, focusing on housing (2.94 million euros), families and children (8 million euros), and unemployment (1.27 million euros). Local councils (comuns) executed under 1 million euros, including 476,000 euros for housing and 194,226 euros in kind for social exclusion, plus 951,835 euros overall for families, disabled people, and the elderly.

The data follow the EU's Seepros model for standardized cross-country comparisons. The Department of Statistics compiles annual figures from the government, councils, CASS, and Pension Reserve Fund, excluding staff costs and focusing solely on transfers and welfare-related services.