ILO releases World Social Protection Report 2017-2019

As per data presented in International Labour Organization’s (ILO’s) World Social Protection Report 2017-19, only 45 per cent of the global population is effectively covered by at least one social benefit.

About ILO’s World Social Protection Report:

This is ILO’s flagship report which provides insights and recent trends in social protection systems across the world.

• The report presents a broad range of data on social protection coverage, benefits and public expenditures on social protection at global, regional and country level.
• The report categorises data on social protection for children, women and men in working age and for older persons.
• Data presented in this report holds lot of significance as lack of social protection leaves people vulnerable to poor health, inequality, poverty and social exclusion throughout their life.

Highlights of ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2017-2019:

As per this report, only 29 per cent of the global population has access to comprehensive social security. This marks a marginal increase compared to 27 per cent in 2014-2015.

• Remaining 71 per cent (5.2 billion people) are either partially protected or not protected at all.
• Only 35 per cent of children across the world have access to social protection. Almost two thirds of children (1.3 billion children) who are not covered are mostly from Africa and Asia.
• Only 41.1 per cent of mothers with newborns receive a maternity benefit while 83 million new mothers remain uncovered.
• 8 per cent of unemployed workers are covered by unemployment benefits while 152 million unemployed workers do not have such coverage.
• 68 per cent of people above retirement age receive an old-age pension.
• It has been recommended in the report that public spending on social protection should be increased especially in countries of Africa and Asia and the Arab countries.

Quick Facts about International Labour Organization (ILO):

• Formed in – 1919
• Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
• Current Director General – Guy Rider