IFPRI (18.12.2024) Egypt’s experience is a case in point. The country’s Takaful cash transfer program has been a vital source of support for millions, but fiscal space is too limited for cash transfers to serve as a solution to poverty (Breisinger, et al. 2023). The hope is that graduating current cash transfer beneficiaries will free up public resources to reach other impoverished households.

worldbank.org (18.12.2024) This brief focuses on long-term care (LTC) for older persons, emphasizing the areas where social protection and jobs are key to building and strengthening this agenda.2While LTC is sometimes perceived as part of the health agenda, social protection programs and policies are crucial for providing and financing social care-related services. Taking a multisectoral approach to LTC can ensure an integrated range of social and health care options which would be the foundation for efficient and cost-effective provision of LTC for all older adults.

African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (Dec 2024) This brief, Advancing Digital Social Protection in Africa through Inclusion and Data Protection, explores strategies to develop inclusive and secure digital social protection (DSP) systems across Africa. DSP systems, which leverage digital tools to deliver social services, present transformative opportunities to address the needs of marginalized populations, including women, informal workers, youth, and migrants.

The evolving nature of work is prompting a global shift towards more adaptable and flexible employment practices. However, NSEs face obstacles due to their unique nature of fluctuating income, instability, and administrative barriers that complicate their inclusion in labor and social protection systems.

europa.eu (2024) Increasing attention has recently been paid to the situation of domestic workers at European Union (EU) level. The European Parliament, social partners and stakeholders have called on the European Commission to improve the working conditions and social protection of domestic workers within the limits of its Treaty competence. Domestic workers provide support services to households, including care (e.g. childcare or long-term care (LTC) for older people and for people with disabilities) and non-care activities (e.g. cleaning or cooking).

(14.11.2024) Population ageing is exerting unprecedented fiscal pressure on social security systems around the world. In response, many governments are implementing or planning pension reforms, often aimed at encouraging later retirement. Recent years have seen a surge in empirical research on retirement behavior and the impact of pension reforms. This column presents a new eBook that reviews insights from the newest advances in research on retirement policy and provides fresh perspectives on how to (re)think pension reforms.

International Labour Review (Sept 2024) This article explores the heterogeneity of care platforms using the case studies of two platforms in the Italian domestic work sector: one that carries out matching between supply and demand (Helpling), reinforcing informality in the sector, and one that acts as an employer (Batmaid). The analysis shows that digital platforms can introduce a corporate logic into a sector where it was previously absent.

oecd.org (02.12.2024) The design and governance of asset-backed pensions should be enhanced to foster more inclusive and resilient systems, secure better outcomes for individuals and contribute to sustainable economic growth and innovation, according to new analysis from the OECD. Pension assets in OECD countries grew by 10% in 2023, reaching over USD 56 trillion, more than triple the level seen two decades ago. Total assets hit USD 63 trillion after adding pension reserve funds held by governments.

jdsupra.com (25.11.2024) Pension systems, designed when populations were younger and life expectancy shorter, are now under immense pressure. To mitigate the impact of an ageing population, governments around the world are starting to implement a raft of measures. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, nations are amending pension laws and updating regulations to adapt to the changing demographics. Let’s delve into the details together to examine how countries are reacting to demographic shifts across countires.

CEPR (29.11.2024) Rapid population ageing is increasing the pressure on public finances to provide adequate support for long-term care recipients. This column compares the impact of diverse social protection measures across 32 OECD and EU countries on poverty rates and out-of-pocket expenses among older adults with care needs. The analysis reveals substantial room for improvement and reforms, with existing systems often unaffordable and badly targeted.