This book is the third edition of a publications that monitors the state of social safety nets around the world by presenting key global social safety net statistics on spending, coverage, benefit level, and poverty/inequality impact.
This 2018 edition of The State of Social Safety Nets presents a richer and more comprehensive set of SSN/SA data compared with the 2015 edition. The main empirical analysis is presented in Part I, “Analytics.” This book also takes a deeper conceptual dive into selected topics, which are discussed in Part II, “Special Topics.” The book consists of five chapters:
• Chapter 1 sets the stage for the discussion of the social safety nets/social assistance by presenting the context of risks, rationale for the social safety net instruments, and key definitions used throughout the book.
• Chapter 2 presents levels, trends, and patterns in countries’ social safety nets spending.
• Chapter 3 discusses what happens with social safety nets around the world through the lens of performance indicators.
• Chapter 4 looks at social assistance and aging.
• Chapter 5 explores adaptive social safety nets.
The book also includes two highlights:
• Highlight 1 looks at the evidence from impact evaluations in Sub-Saharan Africa on the role of social safety nets in enhancing productive inclusion.
• Highlight 2 discusses policy considerations for introducing old-age social pensions and the special considerations that inform their design.