In September 2021, International Labour Organization (ILO) has released its flagship report on social protection named ‘World Social Protection Report 2020-22: Social protection at the crossroads – in pursuit of a better future’.
- As per the report, half of the global population i.e. 53 percent (4.1 billion) did not have any kind of social security.
Key Findings of the report:
i.As of 2020, only 46.9 percent of the global population are effectively covered by at least 1 social protection benefit, while the remaining 53.1 percent (4.1 billion) people obtain no income security at all from their national social protection system.
ii.Government Spending: On average, around 12.8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) were spent by the countries on social protection (excluding health).
- High-income countries spend around 16.4 percent, whereas low-income countries spent only 1.1 percent of their GDP on social protection.
iii.Regional Inequalities:
The different rates of coverage under social protection worldwide are as follows,
- Europe and Central Asia – 84 percent of people being covered by at least one benefit. Americas – 64.3 percent; Asia and Pacific -44 percent; the Arab States -40 percent; and Africa – 17.4 per cent.
iv.Additional Investment:
Since the start of the COVID-19, the additional spending required to ensure at least minimum social protection for all was increased by ~ 30 percent.
- The low-income countries require an additional investment of – US$77.9 billion per year (equivalent to 15.9 percent of GDP) to ensure minimum social protection.
- Lower-middle-income countries – US$362.9 billion per year (equivalent to 5.1 percent of GDP).
- Upper-middle-income countries will require US$750.8 billion per year (equivalent to 3.1 percent of GDP).
v.Worldwide Report: Only 1 in 4 children (26.4 per cent) worldwide receives a social protection benefit, only 45 percent of women with newborns worldwide receive a cash maternity benefit, and only 1 in 3 persons with severe disabilities (33.5 per cent) worldwide receive a disability benefit.
Social Protection: It includes access to health care and income security measures related to old age, unemployment, sickness, disability, work injury, or the loss of the main breadwinner in a family, etc.
Recent Related News:
According to a new study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), Long working hours are putting more people at risk of work-related disability and early death due to Stroke & Ischemic Heart Disease. The study is the 1st of its kind on the loss of life and health associated with working long hours.
About International Labour Organization (ILO):
Establishment – 1919
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Director-General – Guy Ryder
Member Countries – 187 member States
