Public spending for social purposes increased in most OECD countries as a consequence of the economic crisis. On average public social spending in OECD countries amounts now to more than 21% of GDP, an increase of 1–2 percentage points compared to pre-crisis levels. While total public social spending covers all financial flows from public bodies for social purposes, total net social spending also takes into account taxes breaks as well as private spending for social purposes. In particular in the US, the UK and Canada, total net social spending is much higher than public spending for social purposes.