A fixed phrase used in legal, political, and social contexts to refer to the common good or well-being of the public.
A new park was built for the public welfare.
The constitution places importance on public welfare.
公益 (public interest) is a broader term often used in legal and economic contexts, while 公共の福祉 specifically emphasizes the well-being and welfare of the public.
A compound of 公共 (public) and 福祉 (welfare), forming a fixed phrase that directly translates to 'public welfare'.