OECD labour markets are experiencing rapid technological progress, and many workers are sensitive to tech-related risks to their jobs. Most people in OECD countries predict positive changes related to digitalisation and technological change (Figure 1). But one‑third of respondents, on average, worry that they will lose their job to artificial intelligence (AI) or to a worker on an internet platform. These concerns are shared evenly across workers with different educational profiles, and they are linked to broad demands for better social protection: over 70% of respondents call for greater public investments in re‑training for workers and higher education for young people to ensure they have the right skills for the future.
A declining working-age share of the population has negative implications for growth, and 65% of respondents, on average across countries, say they worry about population ageing. A clear majority support three key policy measures to address population ageing and related worker shortages: getting more women and underrepresented groups into the workforce; increasing the use of technology to improve efficiency in the workplace; and encouraging part-time workers to transition to full-time work (Figure 2). Fertility measures, in contrast, are less popular: only 43% of respondents, across countries, say governments should encourage more childbearing to address population ageing. Most point to economic insecurity and housing conditions as barriers to people having children.
Social protection helps ease the effects of shocks and transitions, incentivises employment with contribution-based benefits, fosters more equal opportunities and helps ensure economic security for households. Consistent with previous RTM findings, seven out of ten respondents say their national government should do more to ensure their household’s economic security, on average across the OECD (Figure 3). This result holds across high-, middle‑ and low-income groups, as well as older, middle‑aged and young people. People in OECD countries remain very concerned about their household’s health and financial security, both in the next two years and when looking beyond the next decade – though the top worry, on average, is geopolitical risk.
Social protection clearly does matter. Yet in a time of tight public finances – and declining public willingness to pay more for social programmes, as evidenced in the report – there is a need for even greater efficiency in social programmes. A high share of respondents across OECD countries report difficulties in navigating bureaucratic processes, understanding eligibility criteria, and completing application procedures – suggesting that needed services and benefits may not be reaching the people who are eligible for them (Figure 4).
OECD governments are trying to make social protection systems more efficient in part by digitalising programme access and delivery. About half of all respondents say they use digital tools most or all of the time for accessing public services, and a similar share find these digital tools are easy to use. Yet four in ten respondents prefer paper or in-person applications, highlighting the need for social agencies to continue to offer human support through the digital transition of government.
The use of AI in social protection holds vast potential for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of social programmes. At the same time, the use of AI is not without risks, especially around privacy and transparency. Many people continue to express concern about their government’s use of AI in social protection. Only 40% of respondents feel that the use of AI to help process and approve social programme applications is good for users, and only 32% say they trust their government with the data collected through AI and other digital tools.
Ongoing global megatrends like population ageing and the changing nature of work will require reshaping social protection systems to make them fit for the future. The Risks that Matter Survey offers a practical measurement tool for understanding social and economic risks perceptions across OECD countries, how well people feel their government addresses those risks, and preferences for social protection systems for the years ahead.
