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On the convergence of social protection systems in the European Union

Author

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  • Peter A. Cornelisse
  • Kees P. Goudswaard

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. Besides, convergence of social protection systems is expected to come about as a result of economic integration. In this paper we examine 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 and, only during the past two decades, an absolute convergence of social indicators in the EU. But there are only weak signs that these trends are the result of European integration.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter A. Cornelisse & Kees P. Goudswaard, 2002. "On the convergence of social protection systems in the European Union," International Social Security Review, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 55(3), pages 3-17.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:intssr:v:55:y:2002:i:3:p:3-17
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-246X.00129
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    Cited by:

    1. Koen Caminada & Kees Goudswaard & Olaf Van Vliet, 2010. "Patterns of Welfare State Indicators in the EU: Is there Convergence?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(3), pages 529-556, June.
    2. Olteanu, Dan Constantin, 2025. "Convergence of Public Social Expenditures in EU27," Working Papers of National Institute for Economic Research 250630, Institutul National de Cercetari Economice (INCE).
    3. Milena Nikolova & Boris Nikolaev, 2017. "Does Joining the EU Make You Happy? Evidence from Bulgaria and Romania," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1593-1623, December.
    4. Vojinović, Borut & Acharya, Sanjaya & Próchniak, Mariusz, 2009. "Convergence Analysis Among the Ten European Transition Economies," Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 50(2), pages 17-35, December.
    5. Luca MARCHIORI & Olivier PIERRARD & Henri R. SNEESSENS, 2011. "Demography, capital flows and unemployment," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 2011040, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    6. Denis Bouget, 2009. "Trends of Social Welfare Systems : From Convergence to Attractiveness, an Exploratory Approach," Working Papers hal-00441889, HAL.
    7. Van Vliet, Olaf & Kaeding, Michael, 2007. "Globalisation, European Integration and Social Protection – Patterns of Change or Continuity?," MPRA Paper 20808, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Van Vliet, Olaf & Nijboer, Henk, 2012. "Flexicurity in the European Union: flexibility for outsiders, security for insiders," MPRA Paper 37012, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Natascha Van Mechelen & Sarah Marchal, 2013. "Trends and convergence of Europe’s minimum income schemes," ImPRovE Working Papers 13/11, Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp.
    10. Kosta Josifidis & John Hall & Valérie Berenger & Novica Supić, 2013. "Eastern Migrations vs Western Welfare States – (Un)Biased Fears," Panoeconomicus, Savez ekonomista Vojvodine, Novi Sad, Serbia, vol. 60(3), pages 323-345, May.
    11. OROSZ Ágnes & SZIJÁRTÓ Norbert, 2021. "A Macro-Comparative Assessment Of Welfare State Convergence In The European Union," Management of Sustainable Development, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 13(1), pages 26-32, June.
    12. Koen Caminada & Kees Goudswaard, 2005. "Are Public and Private Social Expenditures Complementary?," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 11(2), pages 175-189, May.
    13. Kristina Petrova, 2016. "Stability and Growth Pact Reform and Public Expenditure Structure in the European Union Member States," Economic Alternatives, University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, issue 1, pages 33-47, March.
    14. repec:bla:jcmkts:v:48:y:2010:i::p:529-556 is not listed on IDEAS

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs

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