STATE AID: Spain is the third lowest-spending country on public services in the EU

NEW figures show Spain invested 0.25 per cent of GDP on public aid in 2017, making it the third lowest-spending country in the European Union.

Data compiled by the European Commission showed Spain joined Ireland and Italy in spending the least on public services, including agriculture, exports, social support, and development.

The figures, which did not take into account spending on Spain’s railways, saw a total of €3,642 million spent on state aid in 2017, with €743 million invested in export, and €695 million put into social support.

Among the EU countries investing more in their public sector were The Netherlands at 0.33 per cent of its GDP, the UK at 0.36 per cent, and Greece at 0.41 per cent. The countries with the highest levels of investment were Hungary at 2.1 per cent, Denmark at 1.63 per cent, Latvia at 1.53 per cent, Germany at 1.31 per cent, and Croatia at 1.15 per cent.

Data showed 94 per cent of public spending across all 28 EU members states went towards projects of common interest, including protecting the environment.