The European Social Services Index is an initiative by the European Social Network to fill an existing gap in assessing three of the social services key pillars - legislation, investment, and coverage - at an European level.

This document is the cross-country analysis of the themes identified in the national info-sheets developed from contributions provided by ESN members. This analysis brings together an extensive outline of  the social services scenario in the first 10 European countries studied throughout 2023 (Croatia,Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden), combining cross-country findings, social services terminology, legislation, investment, and coverage.

Compiling the collected data and drawing comparisons, although challenging, has allowed the European Social Network to identify some of the main challenges facing public social services and make recommendations to the European Commission to advise national governments within the framework of the European Semester.