welfare; well-being; benefits
Refers to the material and social well-being of people, often used in contexts like employee benefits, social welfare, or public welfare programs.
会社は従業員の福利厚生に力を入れている。
The company focuses on employee welfare and benefits.
政府は国民の福利を向上させる政策を進めている。
The government is promoting policies to improve the welfare of its citizens.
福利 usually means benefits provided to employees (as in 福利厚生), while 福祉 covers welfare and well-being more broadly across society.
Composed of 福 (blessing, good fortune) and 利 (benefit, profit), together conveying the idea of benefits that bring well-being. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji combination is conventionally associated with welfare and benefits.