Government expenditure for 2011 rose by €101.3 million over the previous year to €2,751.5 million.

This rise was triggered by higher disbursements on Social Protection which amounted to €37.6 million, primarily for pensions which made up 34.3% of total general Government expenditure. This was followed by expenditure on public services, education and health.

Public services registered and expenditure of €30.0 million mainly resulting from a rise in property income (interest expenditure) of €14.5 million while the health sector recorded additional spending of €21.9 million and education expenditure went up by €18.5 million aminly due to higher compensation of employees (+€12.3 million). Conversely, environmental protection registered lower outlays of €39.4 million in waste water management as a result of the completion of the Malta South Sewage Infrastructure project.

Expenditure on housing and community amenities had the lowest contribution of total expenditure, followed by defence, representing 0.7% and 2% respectively.

For 2011, the share of total General Government expenditure as a percentage of GDP was estimated at 42%, at par with the level recorded in 2010.