2023-01-19-亚开行-太平洋社会保护指标_跟踪社会保护的发展（英）_142页_6mb

Summary of the Social Protection Indicator for the Pacific (2022)

Core Content

The Social Protection Indicator for the Pacific report, published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in December 2022, provides a comprehensive analysis of social protection systems across 14 Pacific Developing Member Countries (DMCs) based on 2018 data. It evaluates the level of social protection spending, the depth and breadth of coverage, and the distribution of benefits across different groups, including the poor, non-poor, women, men, and people with disabilities. The report is the fourth in a series of regional SPI studies, with previous editions published in 2012, 2016, and 2019.

Main Findings

Social Protection Expenditure

• Social protection expenditure in the Pacific region increased, but at modest rates.
• In 2018, the average social protection spending across the 14 DMCs was 5.5% of GDP per capita, ranging from 11.1% in Kiribati to 0.8% in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
• For eight countries with comparable data, the SPI increased from 3.1% in 2009 to 4.7% in 2018, with the steepest rise between 2012 and 2015.
• Social insurance dominated the SPI, accounting for 77.4% of total social protection expenditure in 2009 and 72.3% in 2018, despite a slight decline in its proportion due to the expansion of social assistance programs.

Categories of Social Protection

• Social Insurance:
  • Dominates social protection spending, covering risks such as old age, health, disability, and unemployment.
  • Regional average in 2018: 2.9% of GDP per capita.
  • The Cook Islands had the lowest coverage at 0.5%, while Palau had the highest at 9.2%.
• Social Assistance:
  • Refers to publicly funded cash and in-kind transfers and services for vulnerable groups.
  • Regional average in 2018: 2.0% of GDP per capita.
  • The SPI for social assistance increased from 0.6% in 2009 to 1.2% in 2018, reflecting greater investment in social assistance programs.
• Labor Market Programs (LMPs):
  • Focus on employment facilitation and labor market efficiency.
  • Regional average in 2018: 0.6% of GDP per capita.
  • These programs are underfunded and underdeveloped, with limited coverage.

Coverage and Distribution

• Coverage of social protection programs is low or very low in most DMCs.
• In 2018, social protection programs covered 32.0% of intended beneficiaries.
• Social assistance had the broadest coverage at 20.6%, while social insurance had the narrowest at 9.9%.
• LMPs had the most restricted coverage at 4.6%.
• Coverage improved between 2009 and 2018, rising from 14.9% to 40.2% across all DMCs.

Depth of Benefits

• The depth of benefits (average value of benefits per beneficiary as a share of GDP per capita) was highest for social insurance at 103.7% in 2018.
• Social assistance had much smaller benefits, averaging 15.4% of GDP per capita.
• LMPs had benefits of 27.3% of GDP per capita, but with a very limited beneficiary pool.
• There was wide variation in benefit depth across countries.

Distributional Dimensions

• Social protection spending favors the non-poor over the poor in most countries, except in Kiribati, where it supports informal sector producers.
• In 2018, the non-poor received 3.6% of GDP per capita in social protection, while the poor received 1.2%, a small increase from 2015.
• Social protection spending is more favorable for men than for women, with men receiving 2.5% and women 2.2% of GDP per capita.
• The gender gap has narrowed in some countries, such as Nauru, Palau, the Cook Islands, and Samoa, where spending is more equal.
• The gender gap remains wide in social insurance, which disproportionately benefits men due to higher participation in formal employment and better pay.

Disability-Inclusive Social Protection

• The report includes a special section on disability-inclusive social protection, highlighting the need for more targeted support for people with disabilities.
• Disability prevalence rates vary across age groups and regions, with the most severe cases concentrated in certain demographics.
• Only a few DMCs have disability-targeted programs, and coverage remains limited.
• The SPI for people with disabilities is generally lower than for other groups, indicating a significant gap in support.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

• The pandemic highlighted the importance of social protection in mitigating socioeconomic shocks.
• Social protection responses included cash transfers, unemployment relief, and support for vulnerable groups.
• These measures demonstrated the potential for more inclusive and responsive social protection systems.

Key Information

• The Social Protection Indicator (SPI) is a quantitative measure used to assess the level of investment in social protection across the Pacific region.
• The report is based on national reports and official data from 2020 and 2021, as well as administrative records of beneficiaries.
• The SPI is calculated as a percentage of GDP per capita and reflects the level of resources and benefits provided by social protection programs.
• The SPI is not a static measure; it has evolved over time, reflecting changes in policy and implementation.
• The SPI is used to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for improving social protection systems in the region.

Future Directions

• The report outlines seven future directions for social protection in the Pacific, emphasizing inclusivity, resilience, and alignment with international frameworks.
• These directions include expanding social assistance, enhancing disability-inclusive programs, and integrating social protection with economic and labor market policies.
• The report also calls for better data collection, improved coordination, and stronger implementation mechanisms to ensure that social protection systems meet the needs of all groups, including the poor, women, and people with disabilities.

Conclusion

The report underscores the importance of social protection in fostering inclusive and sustainable development in the Pacific region. While there have been improvements in coverage and some growth in social assistance and disability-inclusive programs, significant gaps remain, particularly in reaching the poor, women, and people with disabilities. The report serves as a critical reference for policymakers, practitioners, and development partners in the region, highlighting the need for continued investment and reform to build more resilient and equitable social protection systems.