Social Security Statistics - 2018/2019
Highlights
1.
Basic Pensions & Social Aid
a)
As at June 2019, the number of beneficiaries of
Basic Retirement Pension reached 224,277, some 4.2% more compared to June 2018. The cost to Government was Rs 18.6 billion in 2018/2019 i.e. 10.4% higher than that in 2017/2018.
b)
There were 18,830
Basic Widow’s Pensioners in June 2019 compared to 19,282 one year earlier, showing a decrease of 2.3%. However, due to increases in the rates payable, the amount disbursed increased by 4.1% to reach Rs 1.6 billion in 2018/2019.
c)
The number of
Basic Invalid’s Pensioners as at June 2019 was 31,935, i.e., a decrease of 0.4% compared to 32,075 a year earlier. The total amount disbursed from July 2018 to June 2019 rose by 8.1% to reach Rs 2.9 billion.
d)
Social Aid benefits were paid to 15,851 families in June 2019, i.e., a decrease of 6.6% over the figure for June 2018. Amount paid registered a decrease of 11.9% to reach nearly Rs 496 million in 2018/2019.
2.
Expenditure on Social Security & Welfare
Government expenditure on Social Security and Welfare is not yet available for the period July 2018 to June 2019. Latest available figures indicate that Government spent Rs 33 billion on Social Security and Welfare for the period July 2017 to June 2018, representing 27.3% of total Government expenditure and 7.0% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices.
February 2020
