Differences across welfare states and welfare regimes

The focus of Chapter 9 is to investigate whether there are differences within and across countries, including whether there have been changes between income transfers and services as this could be an indication of which types of needs have been most in focus in recent years in welfare states. Besides, as it is often assumed that there are differences in efforts in different welfare states, and although there are exceptions, to a large extent this interacts with whatever welfare regime the individual country is typically placed within. This will be done based on what assistance is available in different countries to support welfare state services, including whether changes can be found in this over time. Changes in income transfers will be used as an indicator. There is further a belief that the overall change in and level of support for different types of service is at least indirectly an indicator of the perception of whether this is sufficient or whether there are unmet needs. Studies in the area of the elderly will also be included as a way of looking at whether or not there is a perception among a group of citizens that they have needs that are not met. This, however, is not without a critical stance as to how types of data related to arguments of unmet needs can be used and understood.