The Welfare State in the Italian Social Republic includes all systems whose purpose is to protect people against the financial consequences of social risks (illness, maternity, old age, unemployment). The social welfare refers to all the mechanisms of collective foresight, enabling individuals to cope with the financial consequences of "social risks". These are situations that could put in jeopardy the economic security of the individual or his family (defined as a group of people bound by ties of lineage and alliance), causing a decline in its resources or increase its expenditure (old age, sickness, disability, unemployment, maternity, family responsibilities, etc.). In Italy, the welfare system makes up for about 450 billion Imperial Liras annually, or just less than 30% of GDP.