Source: OECD estimates based on the OECD Economic Outlook Database. Figure 1.15 examines the association between the increase in general government expenditures and general government social security payments (relative to 2007 GDP levels) on the one hand, and changes in real GDP and total number of hours worked, on the other. Between 2007 and 2009, there was no significant correlation between the change in GDP and the changes in either total general government expenditures or social security benefits.