Promoting Pro-Poor Growth: Social Protection

Social protection directly reduces poverty.  It helps poor women and men better tackle vulnerability and embark on more sustainable routes out of poverty, for example by more successful participation in the labour market.  Social protection is also an investment in people.  It helps them better manage the trade-offs between satisfying immediate needs and building better livelihoods for the future.  There is a growing body of evidence showing that social protection programmes are effective and there is now strong political interest in the contribution they can make to growth-enhancing strategies to lead developing countries out of the present global crisis.

The report Promoting Pro-Poor Growth - Social Protection, prepared by the DAC Network on Poverty Reduction (POVNET), shows that social protection programmes can be affordable, including in the poorest countries, when they are well designed and well implemented. Countries can start off small and expand coverage and benefits over time, on the basis of emerging evidence and expanding support. But social protection needs strong and long-term political will and commitment as well to deliver lasting benefits. Aid donors can help by committing to a long-term partnership with developing countries to provide the technical and financial support needed to underpin developing countries’ efforts.

Policy Guidance Note: Social Protection

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in these reports do not necessarily reflect the official views of the OECD or the governments of its member countries.

• Samson M. (2009)  Social Cash Transfers and Pro-Poor Growth
• Scott J. (2009) Social Transfers and Growth in Poor Countries
• Lund F. (2009) Social Protection and the Informal Economy: Linkages and Good Practices for Pvoerty Reduction and Empowerment
• Hagemejer K. and C. Behrent (2009) Can Low-income Countries Afford Basic Social Security?
• O'Cleirigh E. (2009) Affordability of Social Protection Measures in Poor Developing Countries
• Walker A. (2009) Social Protection and Vulnerability, Risk and Exclusion across the Life-Cycle
• Hörmansdörfer C.(2009) Health and Social Protection
• Nolan A. (2009) Social Protection in the Context of HIV and AIDS
• Thakur S.G., C. Arnold and T. Johnson (2009) Gender and Social Protection
• Harvey P. (2009) Social Protection in Fragile States: Lessons Learned
• Davies M, K. Oswald and T. Mitchell (2009) Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction and Social Protection

This report builds on the work previously undertaken by the DAC Network on Poverty Reduction (POVNET)on Risk and Vulnerability.