This Asia and the Pacific regional companion report complements the ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal social protection for climate action and a just transition. 

• It highlights key developments, challenges, and priorities for social protection in Asia and the Pacific.

Key Findings 

• Social Protection: 53.6% of the population in the region is covered by at least one social protection benefit.
• Climate Change Resilience: Social protection programs like India's MGNREGA  help people adapt to and cope with a changing climate by protecting their incomes, and jobs.
• India Specific Findings
  • 48.8% of India’s population is covered by at least one social protection benefit.
  • Total expenditure on social protection (including health) is 5.1% of GDP.

Challenges for Universal Social Protection: Informal economy, rapid demographic aging, financial gap, emerging environmental challenges, etc.

Recommendations given in the report

• Strengthen social protection systems to enhance resilience, climate adaptation & mitigation.
• Extend social protection coverage to workers in all types of employment.
• Reforming fossil fuel subsidies to create fiscal space for social protection.
• Utilize technology to improve delivery & effectiveness of social protection programs.