Data from the Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) on social protection in the archipelago indicates that between 2023 and 2024, there was a 9.2% increase in the number of people receiving sickness benefits, totaling approximately 19,900 individuals in the latter year.
“The average number of days processed with this type of subsidy reached 71 days in 2024, representing a decrease of three days compared to the previous year. The amounts processed amounted to 35 million euros, reflecting an increase of 15.4% compared to 2023,” states DREM.
Regarding unemployment benefits, last year 6,400 people were beneficiaries, a reduction of 2.6% compared to the previous year. “Of these, 51.7% had not received this benefit in 2023.”
The regional authority notes that the average duration of subsidy allocation was 174 days, lower than in 2023 (177 days), “with the average value of this type of benefit being around 3,342 euros (+5.6% than the previous year).”
In terms of major family allowances from Social Security, DREM highlights that in 2024, “there was a decrease in the number of beneficiaries of family allowance for children and young people (-4.8%) and an increase in the number of beneficiaries of the initial parental benefit (+1.0%).”
Regarding social integration income, approximately four thousand people benefited last year, which is 22% less than in 2023.
On another note, “in 2024, 20.4 million euros were processed for the 4,777 beneficiaries of the social inclusion benefit (+18.2% and +7.0% compared to the previous year, respectively),” says the Regional Directorate of Statistics.
DREM further highlights that at the end of last year, there were 66,700 active Social Security pensioners in Madeira, corresponding to 25.7% of the resident population. Of these, 63.6% received old-age pensions, 26.5% survivor’s pensions, and 10% disability pensions.
Regarding the General Retirement Fund, by the end of 2024, the number of pensioners in this system totaled 14,558 (579 more people than in 2023), with 72.4% being pensioners receiving old-age and disability pensions, and 27.6% receiving survivor’s pensions.
