On the convergence of social protection systems in the European Union

Cornelisse, Peter and Goudswaard, Kees (2001): On the convergence of social protection systems in the European Union. Published in: Department of Economics Research Memorandum No. 2001.02 (2001): pp. 1-15.

Abstract

Member states of the European Union are autonomous when it comes to the design of their social protection systems. However, they are committed by a Recommendation accepted by the European Council addressing the convergence of social protection objectives and policies. Beside that, it is expected that convergence of social protection systems could come about as a result of economic integration. In this paper we have examined whether such convergence has occurred during the past decades, using data on replacement rates and social expenditure ratios. We find a rather strong trend of relative convergence, but it does not follow that this trend is the result of the European integration.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Social protection, European Union
• Subjects: H - Public Economics > H5 - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies > H55 - Social Security and Public Pensions; H - Public Economics > H5 - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies > H53 - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs

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