Analyzing the Social Protection and Assistance Expenditure in theWelfare State in Romania

This paper highlights the complex relation between the social protection and assistance expenditure and the gross domestic product (GDP) in Romania, for the period 2007-2022, to show how far the objectives of the welfare state in Romania have been achieved.It promotes the responsibility of the state in ensuring a minimum level of well-being for its citizens through public policies and social programs.The economic changes have directly influenced the allocation of resources for social protection and assistance, while these expenses have affected, in turn, the economic dynamics, reflected by the increase in GDP.The correlation between the social protection and assistance expenditure and the GDP in Romania shows that, in general, the economic growth has allowed the increase of social expenses, and in periods of economic crisis, these expenses have become more necessary to support the well-being of the population.