Welfare State in Europe
Some of the European welfare states have been described as the most well developed and extensive. It is a common argument saying that there exists a unique "European social model", in contrast with the social model existing in the US. The truth is that the reality is more complex. Economists have agreed on the fact that there exist different social models in the EU. Although each European country has its own singularities, one can distinguish four different welfare or social models in Europe:
- The Nordic model, in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.
- The Continental model, in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg.
- The Anglosaxon model, in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
- The Mediterranean model, in Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Read more about this topic: European Social Model
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