Expenditure on social protection consisted of 98.7% of payments for social protection benefits with 775 billion 401 million TRY.

The largest expenditure on social protection benefits was the old age function with 353 billion 592 million TRY followed by those related to the sickness/health care function with 242 billion 136 million TRY. 

The social protection expenditure accounted for 10.8% of GDP

Expenditure on social protection accounted for 10.8% of gross domestic products (GDP) in 2021. Expenditure on social protection benefits recorded as 10.7% of GDP. When the expenditures on risks or needs were considered, the expenditure on old age function was the largest with 4.9% of GDP followed by those related to the sickness/health care function with 3.3% of GDP and survivors function with 1.2% of GDP.

Means-tested benefits represented 8.9% of the total social protection benefits

The largest part of the means-tested benefits was provided under the family/children function with 43.3% followed by disability with 26.6% and sickness/health care with 12.2%.

Cash benefits represented 64.8% of the total social protection benefits

The majority of the cash benefits was related to old age function 70.1% followed by survivors function 17.6% and the unemployment function with 5.7%.

Government contributions constituted 38.0% of social protection receipts

Government contributions accounted for 38.0% of social protection receipts. Social contributions by employers' represented 30.6% and protected people social contributions constituted 25.9% of social protection receipts.

The number of pension beneficiaries accounted for 14 million 624 thousand people

While the number of old age, survivors and disability pension beneficiaries were 14 million 288 thousand in 2020, it became 14 million 624 thousand by increasing 2.4% in 2021. Number of pension benefits reached to 15 million 362 thousand in 2021 while it was 14 million 979 thousand in 2020. (ILKHA)