Wales · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Carmarthenshire Council budget and spending
Carmarthenshire Council had net current service expenditure of £604.6m in 2024-25, about £3,182 for each of its 190,037 residents. By total budget it is 56th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £604.6m
- Spend per resident
- £3,182
- 19th of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 190,037
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 56th
- of 185 single-tier councils
This is the council budget only (net current service expenditure). NHS, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest are not included. In two-tier counties, education and social care sit with the county, not the district.
Where Carmarthenshire Council spends its money
- Total revenue expenditure£604.6m
100.0% of the budget
Single-tier councils (unitary, metropolitan, London borough and Scottish and Welsh councils) run every local service in their area, so they are compared with each other.
Benefits spending in Carmarthenshire
Across six benefits, £459.4m was paid out in Carmarthenshire in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,417 per resident. That is 83rd highest of 315 areas per person and 97th by total pounds, and 12.8% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£237.3m
- Personal Independence Payment£147.6m
- Disability Living Allowance£31.9m
- Employment and Support Allowance£26.7m
- Housing Benefit£22.0m
- Carer's Allowance£15.6m
Covers six benefits only: Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA. Excludes the State Pension, the largest welfare line. Compiled by the TaxPayers' Alliance from DWP Stat-Xplore, not a DWP borough publication. England and Wales, £133.1 billion in the 12 months to March 2026. Do not add this to the council budget: Housing Benefit is in both.
Councils with similar spend per resident
Carmarthenshire Council: common questions
How much does Carmarthenshire Council spend?
Carmarthenshire Council had net current service expenditure of £604.6m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Carmarthenshire Council spend per resident?
About £3,182 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £604.6m and an ONS population estimate of 190,037. That is 19th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Carmarthenshire Council spend most on?
Total revenue expenditure is the largest service line at £604.6m, 100.0% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Carmarthenshire?
£459.4m was paid out in the 12 months to March 2026 on six benefits (Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA), about £2,417 per resident. That ranks 83rd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.