Social protection systems in MENA: past, present and future

Charlotte Bilo, João Pedro Dytz, Maya Hammad, Lucas Sato and Fabio Veras Soares ()

Chapter 8 in Handbook on Social Protection and Social Development in the Global South, 2023, pp 147-166 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Social protection systems in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have long consisted of universal food and subsidy schemes; social insurance systems favoured the public sector. Social support for those outside the formal labour market was provided through informal or religious networks. Recent political and economic crises have shifted this social protection landscape. Despite important advancements, expenditure on social protection has remained low, and many outside the formal labour market continue to be excluded from social protection. In some countries, a more elaborate policy infrastructure and political environment enabled large-scale emergency income support for those most affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The MENA countries should build on these to strengthen national social protection systems and the social contract. Such measures are also key to realising the Sustainable Development Agenda, particularly Target 1.3, which calls for implementation of nationally appropriate social protection systems for all.

Keywords: Development Studies; Sociology and Social Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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