Money · Spending

How much does the UK spend on pensions and benefits?

The UK government spent £407 billion on pensions and benefits (social protection) in 2025-26: 30% of all government spending and 13.3% of GDP, about £5,862 for every person in the UK.

SPENT

£407bn

On pensions and benefits (social protection), 2025-26.

SHARE OF SPENDING

30%

Of £1,360bn total government spending.

PER PERSON

£5,862

A year, across 69.5 million people.

Spending on pensions and benefits (social protection) over the last few years

Figures are in cash terms, not adjusted for rising prices, and for the whole UK public sector. See all spending →

Financial year	Spent	Share of GDP	Share of spending	Change on the year before
2025-26	£407.3bn	13.3%	29.9%	+5.4%
2024-25	£386.3bn	13.2%	29.9%	+5.8%
2023-24	£365.2bn	13.1%	29.7%	–

See how MPs have voted on tax and spending →

What it cannot tell you. Social protection is the Treasury’s heading for the state pension, benefits, tax credits and related help. It is the biggest single part of government spending, but the figure does not show how many people receive help or how the money is split between pensioners and working-age people.

Questions people ask

How much does the UK spend on pensions and benefits (social protection)?

£407 billion in 2025-26, which is 30% of government spending and 13.3% of GDP.

What is in social protection?

Mostly the state pension and other help for older people, plus benefits and support for working-age people, disability, families and children, and people on low incomes.

Is this adjusted for inflation?

No. The figures are in cash terms, so a rise can partly reflect higher prices. See the inflation page for how fast prices have risen.

Sources: HM Treasury, Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA), and the ONS, 2025-26. Latest published outturn; it can be revised. Updated every night.