ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL2.GPID/2026/SP/Bulletin.6
Country: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Kingdom of Bahrain, Republic of Iraq, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Lebanese Republic, State of Libya, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Kingdom of Morocco, Sultanate of Oman, State of Palestine, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Federal Republic of Somalia, Republic of Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates
Publication Type: Information material
Cluster: Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development
Focus Area: Inclusive development, Future of employment
Initiatives: Job creation, Reducing inequalities, Including persons with disabilities in the labour market
SDGs: Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Keywords: Social security, Disability benefits, Labour market, Occupational diseases, Old age benefits, Organizational change, Pensions, Poverty mitigation, Social security legislation, Survivors benefits, Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, State of palestine, Saudi arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syrian arab republic, United arab emirates
Social protection reform bulletin of the Arab region, Issue 4
September 2026
The present issue highlights social protection reforms undertaken across the Arab region between January and June 2026. Several countries introduced significant reforms addressing multiple dimensions of social protection. Algeria, Bahrain and Oman enhanced old-age pensions and unemployment protection, while expanding coverage to informal workers and freelancers. Egypt and Lebanon substantially increased benefits and broadened coverage through new schemes and programmes. Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia advanced their national social protection strategies and governance frameworks, while Iraq, Libya, the State of Palestine and the Sudan focused on expanding delivery mechanisms and improving access for vulnerable populations.
These measures demonstrate the commitment of Arab countries to improving the targeting and effectiveness of social protection programmes, strengthening institutional capacity and promoting economic empowerment through social protection systems.
Related content
Inclusive development, Future of employment
The present issue highlights social protection reforms undertaken across the Arab region between January and June 2026. Several countries introduced significant reforms addressing multiple dimensions of social protection. Algeria, Bahrain and Oman enhanced old-age pensions and unemployment protection, while expanding coverage to informal workers and freelancers. Egypt and Lebanon substantially increased benefits and broadened coverage through new schemes and programmes. Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia advanced their national social protection strategies and governance frameworks, while Iraq, Libya, the State of Palestine and the Sudan focused on expanding delivery mechanisms and improving access for vulnerable populations.
These measures demonstrate the commitment of Arab countries to improving the targeting and effectiveness of social protection programmes, strengthening institutional capacity and promoting economic empowerment through social protection systems.
