Social Outlook 2024

Protecting our Future Today:
Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific

Social protection is a powerful policy tool to prevent and reduce poverty, inequality, social exclusion and insecurity emanating from risks and shocks, including those related to life cycle contingencies. But what is the status of social protection systems across Asia and the Pacific? Are they equipped to withstand and turn the megatrends of climate change, demographic shifts including population ageing and digitalization into opportunities? What should governments do to future-proof social protection systems?

The latest edition of the Social Outlook 2024: Protecting Our Future Today - Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific provides a blueprint on how we can improve social protection systems across the region. Leveraging strategic foresight methodology, the Report offers policy recommendations to meet changing conditions and argues that the price of inaction today far exceeds the cost of requisite action.

Storyline of 2024

Topic 1
Sustainable development at risk

Cascading risks threaten inclusive and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.

Topic 2
Crossroads of risk: The climate change megatrend

Children, women, older persons and persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected by climate change.

Topic 3
Crossroads of risk: The demographic megatrend

Countries getting old before they get rich, with less time to adjust policies.

Topic 4
Crossroads of risk: The digital technology megatrend

Social protection systems will need to navigate negative and positive transformations to harness the power of technology.

Topic 5
Inaction is costly, investment pays dividends

Inaction on social protection is costly, threatening millions with poverty, yet investment pays dividends and is within reach.  

Topic 6
Forecasting a secure future

Using foresight and backcasting methodologies to plan social development.

Topic 7
Steady progress but coverage and adequacy low

A life-cycle approach to social protection aims for comprehensive protection.

Topic 8
Making social protection ready for the future, now

Governments in Asia and the Pacific could consider the following recommendations.

Storyline

Publications

View Publications
2017
Sustainable social development in Asia and the Pacific : toward a people-centered transformation

UNESCAP 15 May 2017

2015
Time for equality : the role of social protection in reducing inequality in Asia and the Pacific

UNESCAP 31 December 2015

Media

Articles, videos, news and press releases
View Media
2024 Op-ed
Empowering change and resilience: Social protection in the age of megatrends

Manila Times 17 October 2024

2024 Op-ed
Empowering Change & Resilience: Social Protection in the Age of Megatrends

IPS 16 October 2024

2024 Op-ed
Empowering change and resilience: Social protection in the age of megatrends

Head Topics 16 October 2024

2024 Op-ed
Empowering change and resilience: Social protection in the age of megatrends

Phnom Penh Post 16 October 2024

Data and Research

Data and analysis, background research, regional and country insights
View Data and Research
2024 Background Paper
The price of inaction on social protection in Asia and the Pacific : a CGE model for 27 countries in Asia and the Pacific

ESCAP Working Paper 04 October 2024

2024 Blog
Empowering change and resilience: Social protection in the age of megatrends

01 October 2024

2022 Blog
Building a more resilient workforce to meet challenges of tomorrow

04 January 2024

2022 Blog
From social protection to solidarity: The cost-effective path to a stronger society

12 December 2023