World Social Protection Report 2020–22: Regional companion report for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region
This regional companion report for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is intended to complement the ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2021–22. Social Protection at the Crossroads – in Pursuit of a Better Future. The regional companion report first gives a global perspective that is taken from the main report and outlines recent developments in social protection systems worldwide. It then highlights key developments, challenges and priorities for social protection in the MENA region.
The World Social Protection Report 2020–22: Regional companion report for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region was launched on December 30, 2021, on the occasion of the Arab Ministerial Forum 2021 held under the title “The Future of Social Protection in the Arab Region: building a vision for a post COVID-19 reality.” The report highlights key developments, challenges and priorities for social protection in the MENA region. It is the first time the ILO has published a dedicated report on social protection across the whole Arab region, which is intended to complement the ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2021–22. Social Protection at the Crossroads – in Pursuit of a Better Future.
As the report reveals, even before the COVID 19 pandemic, most countries in the region fell short of providing comprehensive and adequate social protection to a large share of their populations. Only 40 per cent of people in MENA enjoy effective coverage in at least one area of social protection, significantly less than the world average (46.9 per cent). Coverage gaps are particularly noticeable for key vulnerable populations. Slightly more than one in five children (23 per cent) are covered by social protection benefits, as opposed to one in four (26.4 per cent) globally. Access to regular cash social protection benefits among people with severe disabilities in the MENA region is also remarkably low (17.1 per cent) compared to the global average (33.5 per cent). Only 40.5 per cent of people above retirement age in the MENA region receive pensions – significantly less than the global average of 77.5 per cent. Less than 10 per cent of the region’s unemployed people had access to unemployment benefits prior to the COVID-19 crisis. Overall, tax-financed social assistance schemes provide income support to less than a third (26.4 per cent) of vulnerable people across the region.
More details in the report.
As the report reveals, even before the COVID 19 pandemic, most countries in the region fell short of providing comprehensive and adequate social protection to a large share of their populations. Only 40 per cent of people in MENA enjoy effective coverage in at least one area of social protection, significantly less than the world average (46.9 per cent). Coverage gaps are particularly noticeable for key vulnerable populations. Slightly more than one in five children (23 per cent) are covered by social protection benefits, as opposed to one in four (26.4 per cent) globally. Access to regular cash social protection benefits among people with severe disabilities in the MENA region is also remarkably low (17.1 per cent) compared to the global average (33.5 per cent). Only 40.5 per cent of people above retirement age in the MENA region receive pensions – significantly less than the global average of 77.5 per cent. Less than 10 per cent of the region’s unemployed people had access to unemployment benefits prior to the COVID-19 crisis. Overall, tax-financed social assistance schemes provide income support to less than a third (26.4 per cent) of vulnerable people across the region.
More details in the report.