Kuwait Among Top Global Leaders In Social Spending, Allocates 52.83% Of Budget To Welfare Programs

Kuwait, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), has been recognized as one of the world’s most generous nations in social spending. According to data from the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, Kuwait dedicated an impressive KD 13.88 billion to social welfare programs for the fiscal year 2023/2024, representing 52.83% of its total budget of KD 26.27 billion.

Monitoring Social Spending

The Supreme Council for Planning and Development, in partnership with ESCWA, used seven key dimensions and indicators to monitor social spending: education, health and nutrition, housing and community facilities, labor market interventions and job creation programs, social protection programs, arts, culture and sports, and environmental protection.

Kuwait's social spending accounted for 28.3% of its GDP in the fiscal year 2023/2024, a significant figure on par with countries known for high social spending. For comparison, Denmark also dedicated 28.3% of its GDP to social spending, while Germany allocated 25.9%, Sweden 25.5%, and Norway 25.3%. This places Kuwait among the global leaders in social welfare expenditure.

Breakdown of Social Spending

In terms of distribution, housing and community facilities received KD 3.299 billion, while hospital services for inpatients were allocated KD 2.724 billion. The government also spent KD 2.293 billion on fuel subsidies and over a billion on pre-primary and primary education.

Kuwait's expenditure on secondary and higher education totaled KD 1.695 billion, with KD 959 million for secondary education and KD 736 million for higher education. Labor market and employment indicators received KD 570 million, and arts and cultural activities were funded with KD 520 million. Education affairs were allocated KD 514 million, and social protection programs received KD 338 million.

Investment in Environmental Protection

For environmental protection in the fiscal year 2023/2024, Kuwait spent KD 222 million on sewage and sanitation facilities, KD 170 million on the water supply network, and KD 130 million on healthcare expenses. Additionally, KD 124 million was allocated for medical supplies and KD 610,000 for public health services.

Support for Education and Vulnerable Groups

Adult education received KD 960,000, housing support KD 890,000, family and child allowances KD 130,000, community development KD 100,000, and support for vulnerable groups KD 70,000.

Distribution by Beneficiaries

Institutional development and administrative support accounted for 28.39% (KD 3.943 billion) of total social spending. Diverse population groups received 20.96% (KD 2.911 billion), while households or families were allocated 19.68% (KD 2.733 billion). Children benefitted from 14.14% (KD 1.964 billion) of the spending, youth and adults from 10.11% (KD 1.404 billion), and society as a whole from 6.67% (KD 0.926 billion).

Significant Growth in Social Spending

Comparatively, during the fiscal year 2016/2017, social spending was KD 8.317 billion, which has since grown by approximately 69% to KD 13.88 billion in 2023/2024. However, in 2016/2017, social spending constituted 46.96% of Kuwait’s total expenditure, which was KD 17.708 billion.

Comments Post Comment

Leave a Comment

Submit