ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL2.GPID/2025/4
Country: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Kingdom of Bahrain, Union of the Comoros, Republic of Djibouti, Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Iraq, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Kuwait, Lebanese Republic, State of Libya, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Kingdom of Morocco, Sultanate of Oman, State of Palestine, State of Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Federal Republic of Somalia, Republic of Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Republic of Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Yemen
Publication Type: Flagship publications
Cluster: Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development
Focus Area: Inclusive development, Future of employment, Population dynamics & migration, Statistics
Initiatives: Reducing inequalities, Older persons, Realizing the rights of persons with disabilities, Addressing multidimensional poverty, Monitoring money-metric poverty, Reforming social protection systems
SDGs: Goal 1: No Poverty, Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 4: Quality Education, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Keywords: Algeria, Bahrain, Children's allowance, Comoros, Disability benefits, Djibouti, Educational assistance, Egypt, Energy services, Family allowances, Food and nutrition, Housing subsidies, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Labour policy, Lebanon, Libya, Maternal health services, Mauritania, Morocco, Old age benefits, Oman, Poverty, Public welfare, Qatar, Saudi arabia, Social policy, Social security, Social security legislation, Somalia, State of palestine, Statistical data, Subsidies, Sudan, Survivors benefits, Syrian arab republic, Tunisia, United arab emirates, Yemen
Annual Digest of Social Protection Reforms in the Arab Region, 2024
May 2025
The 3rd edition of the Annual Digest of the Social Protection Reforms in the Arab Region documents 135 policy reforms through various means and sources, including automatic news monitoring and direct inputs from policymakers of ESCWA member States. These reforms indicate significant efforts by Governments to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of national social protection systems. The relative decrease in the number of observed reforms compared to previous years does not imply that Governments’ commitment to social protection has diminished. On the contrary, it signals a transition from temporary, shock-responsive measures to generally more long-term, systemic overhauls of systems and/or adaptation of programmes aimed at providing sustainable protection against life-cycle risks. The changing social protection landscape in the Arab region reflects an increasing commitment among many Arab countries to invest in the welfare of their citizens. Governments are continuously adapting their social protection policies and programmes to evolving societal needs and economic conditions.
Related content
Inclusive development, Future of employment, Population dynamics & migration, Statistics
The 3rd edition of the Annual Digest of the Social Protection Reforms in the Arab Region documents 135 policy reforms through various means and sources, including automatic news monitoring and direct inputs from policymakers of ESCWA member States. These reforms indicate significant efforts by Governments to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of national social protection systems. The relative decrease in the number of observed reforms compared to previous years does not imply that Governments’ commitment to social protection has diminished. On the contrary, it signals a transition from temporary, shock-responsive measures to generally more long-term, systemic overhauls of systems and/or adaptation of programmes aimed at providing sustainable protection against life-cycle risks. The changing social protection landscape in the Arab region reflects an increasing commitment among many Arab countries to invest in the welfare of their citizens. Governments are continuously adapting their social protection policies and programmes to evolving societal needs and economic conditions.
