The European Social Services Index (ESSI) is an initiative launched by the European Social Network in 2023 to better understand and compare the situation of social services in different EU Member States.

Each year, with the support of our ESSI Working Group, we gather national data and develop country-specific factsheets focused on three pillars:

• Social services legislation.
• Social services expenditure.
• Social services coverage.

Furthermore, we compare this data across Europe and present our observations and consequent recommendations at both national and EU levels in a dedicated Cross-Country Analysis each year. The 2025 report analyses data from 16 European countries, collected via questionnaires completed by social service professionals, national authorities, and experts.

You can download this year's report below, and all 16 National Factsheets which supported the development of this report can be viewed on the European Social Services Index.