ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL2.GPID/2026/6
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
Initiatives: Reducing inequalities
SDGs: Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 4: Quality Education, 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, 2025
March 2026
The fourth edition of the Annual Digest of the Social Protection Reforms in the Arab Region documents 183 policy or programme changes, the highest number recorded since the inception of this publication series. These were collected through various means and sources, including automatic news monitoring and direct inputs from policymakers of ESCWA member States.
A few trends can be observed in this edition. Sustainable domestic resource mobilization is becoming an increasingly important topic to policymakers in the region. Although shock-responsive measures remain an important component of social protection systems, especially in low-income countries, their share of total social protection developments continues to decline. Meanwhile, an increasing number of countries are strengthening their social protection systems by introducing or prioritizing labour market integration or economic inclusion measures for social assistance beneficiaries.
Related content
Inclusive development
The fourth edition of the Annual Digest of the Social Protection Reforms in the Arab Region documents 183 policy or programme changes, the highest number recorded since the inception of this publication series. These were collected through various means and sources, including automatic news monitoring and direct inputs from policymakers of ESCWA member States.
A few trends can be observed in this edition. Sustainable domestic resource mobilization is becoming an increasingly important topic to policymakers in the region. Although shock-responsive measures remain an important component of social protection systems, especially in low-income countries, their share of total social protection developments continues to decline. Meanwhile, an increasing number of countries are strengthening their social protection systems by introducing or prioritizing labour market integration or economic inclusion measures for social assistance beneficiaries.
