Information collected in a new OECD questionnaire allows for a comparison between anticipated and realised spending during 2010 (Figure 1.10, Panels A and B).18 Actual spending turned out to be lower than anticipated in a considerable number of countries. These unanticipated declines in expenditures probably reflect in significant part the fact that unemployment rose less than had been expected in some countries, as well as the rapid decline in STW enrolments in countries such as Germany, where the economic recovery was relatively quick and strong. Lower than anticipated take-up of new or existing initiatives (or a slower unfolding of new initiatives than first foreseen) may also have been a factor. Anticipated improvements in labour market conditions probably play a large role in explaining why one-half or more of the countries expect spending on unemployment and STW benefits, as well as job subsidies, to fall and significant minorities expect all other spending categories to fall.