oecd.org (02.07.2025) The OECD Risks that Matter Survey presents a data-driven understanding of people’s perceptions of economic risks, their assessment of their country’s social programmes and their preferences for policy action. Interviews with 27 000 respondents show people are deeply concerned about geopolitical issues, their health and their finances across 27 OECD countries. The report focuses on two megatrends – technological change and population ageing – and finds strong support for social programmes that foster economic growth and security.

who.int (03.07.2025) The WHO Framework to implement a life course approach in practice summarizes current evidence to reorient health systems to produce health and well-being, draws on global examples of implementation, and proposes next steps. A life course approach acknowledges that health and well-being depend on the interaction of multiple protective and risk factors, particularly during sensitive and critical periods throughout people’s lives and across generations. It strengthens equity by recognizing how critical periods, transitions and cumulative exposures shape health trajectories.

oecd.org (30.06.2025) Governments in OECD countries are increasingly applying advanced uses of data and technology to improve the coverage, effectiveness and efficiency of social programmes, yet they are proceeding with caution when introducing artificial intelligence (AI). Common AI uses in social protection include client support, automating back-office processes and fraud detection.

International Labour Organization (2025) This paper discusses the current state of social protection systems in Africa, their challenges, and the relationship between social protection, climate change and employment. It also provides a brief overview of the jobs implications of climate change and efforts to address it. The key message of the note is to underscore the essential role that social protection and skills can play in addressing the challenges related to climate change while providing an overview of the current state of social protection systems, including floors, in Africa.

worldbank.org (24.06.2025) This Guidance Note was developed to support Public Employment Services in navigating complex decisions involved in digitalizing employment services. As the role of PES evolves with the need to balance expanded mandates with limited resources, digitalization presents an opportunity to strengthen service delivery, enhance operational efficiency, and improve access for job seekers and employers. However, successful implementation depends on more than just introducing new technology.

ilo.org (24.06.2025) The demographic changes currently underway in the Europe and Central Asia region - most notably, the ageing of its populations - have prompted the preparation of this new publication intended to inform tripartite discussions on developing effective strategies and policy responses. The publication provides projections of the region’s labour force evolution through to 2050, alongside an analysis of the challenges posed by these demographic shifts.

OECD (16.06.2025) As populations age, the demand for long-term care (LTC), encompassing a range of personal care and assistance services, is steadily increasing across OECD countries. Care needs assessments and eligibility criteria determine who is entitled to access publicly funded LTC services, and thereby have a direct impact on public expenditures.

International Journal of Social Welfare (05.01.2025) This article provides an overview of social protection challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. It explores three main challenges: the integration of informal workers, the management of climate change and pandemics. Despite the proliferation of social protection programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, effective coverage remains low. About 76.3% of the population is not covered by any formal social protection mechanisms. Following the principle of qualitative comparative analysis, this article offers a twofold contribution.

ILO (25.02.2025) - Conceptual framework and review of global good practices for countries in the Arab Region - Ensuring bridges between different social protection programmes and financing mechanisms - including smooth transition paths (forward and backward) between social assistance and social insurance schemes - has increasingly become an important issue in many developing countries. This has the potential to create better impetus for accessing formal employment, expand social protection coverage, stabilize income, reduce vulnerabilities.

who.int (08.05.2025) This technical brief addresses the growing gap between the rapid expansion of home- and community-based long-term care (‎LTC)‎ services and the slower development of regulatory frameworks for quality management in these settings. While such services are essential for supporting older people to age in place and remain engaged in their communities, it is increasingly urgent to ensure that care is safe, appropriate and person-centred.