2018世界社会形势报告（英文版）_170页_1mb

Summary of the Report on the World Social Situation 2018

Core Content

The Report on the World Social Situation 2018 focuses on the role of social protection in promoting social inclusion and reducing poverty and inequality. It highlights the importance of social protection systems as a development tool that can support vulnerable groups throughout their life cycle and ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report is structured around seven key groups that are often excluded from social protection systems: children, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, international migrants, ethnic and racial minorities, and indigenous peoples.

Main Views and Key Information

Social Protection and Social Progress

• Social protection is a powerful policy tool for improving human well-being, reducing poverty, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
• It helps individuals and families during crises, improves children's health and education, and is essential for breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development underscores the importance of social protection, particularly through Target 1.3, which calls for comprehensive and universally accessible social protection systems, including social protection floors.

Gaps in Social Protection Coverage

• Despite progress, only 29% of the global population has access to comprehensive social protection coverage.
• Gaps in access and insufficient benefits hinder the effectiveness of social protection in reducing inequality and promoting inclusion.
• Disadvantaged groups face specific barriers to access, including gender, disability, migration status, and economic conditions.

Key Groups and Their Challenges

• Children: In many developing countries, only 35% of children receive social protection benefits. Social protection helps improve health, education, and nutrition but is often inadequate or targeted in a way that excludes the most vulnerable.
• Youth: Face high unemployment and economic insecurity, with only 29% of eligible youth receiving social protection benefits. Social protection can help combat unemployment and support transition to adulthood.
• Older persons: Experience economic disadvantages and poverty. Only 28% of older persons receive pensions, and pensions are often inadequate.
• Persons with disabilities: Are significantly excluded from social protection, with only 28% receiving disability benefits. Accessibility and attitudinal barriers are major obstacles.
• International migrants: Often lack legal access to social protection in host countries. Portability of benefits is a critical issue for migrant inclusion.
• Ethnic and racial minorities and indigenous peoples are frequently marginalized, with limited access to social protection. Inclusive policies are essential to address these gaps.

Strategies for Inclusive Social Protection

• The report emphasizes that expanding access to social protection is often a matter of design, not affordability.
• Universal coverage and targeted measures should be combined to ensure inclusiveness.
• Sufficient benefits and sustainable financing are crucial to ensure income security and long-term effectiveness.
• Policy reforms and technical assistance are needed to improve accessibility and coverage for disadvantaged groups.

Conclusion

The World Social Situation 2018 report calls for greater attention to the needs of vulnerable groups and the design of inclusive social protection systems. It stresses that social protection is not just about reducing poverty, but also about promoting social inclusion and ensuring that all individuals can participate in and benefit from economic and social development.

Key Messages

• Social protection is a key lever for reducing poverty and inequality.
• Universal coverage is essential to leave no one behind.
• Design plays a crucial role in ensuring accessibility and inclusiveness.
• Sustainable financing and policy coherence are necessary for the long-term success of social protection systems.

Additional Notes

• The report provides examples of good practices, such as South Africa's Child Support Grant and Kenya's Mbao pension fund.
• It also highlights the importance of international cooperation, especially in addressing the portability of benefits for migrants and ensuring inclusive policies for indigenous and ethnic minorities.
• Country classifications and regional groupings are used for analysis and comparison purposes.

References and Data

• The report includes figures and tables showing coverage levels and poverty impacts across different regions and groups.
• It references international instruments and agencies, such as the UN, ILO, UNICEF, and WHO, to highlight the global importance of social protection.

This report serves as a guideline for governments and communities to design and implement more inclusive and effective social protection systems.