Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific
Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific 2024
Protecting our Future Today: Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific
The Social Outlook is a flagship ESCAP publication produced every two years with a dedicated focus on social development issues in Asia and the Pacific. In 2024, the Social Outlook focuses on future proofing social protection in Asia and the Pacific in the presence of three global megatrends, namely climate change, demographic shifts including population ageing and the emergence of digital technologies. the analysis contained in the report aims to strengthen the evidence base and build capacity of policy makers on how to future proof and finance their respective social protection systems. The Report is structured around 5 chapters. Chapter 1 reviews poverty and inequality amidst complex crises in Asia and the Pacific. Chapter 2 assesses the status of social protection system while Chapter 3 explores how social protection systems need to adapt to global megatrends. Chapter 4 adopts a forward-looking methodology and develops four alternative future scenarios for social protection systems by 2040. Using strategic foresight tools, it provides policy recommendations at national and reginal levels to meet the preferred future consistent with inclusive and sustainable development. Chapter 5 estimates the cost of inaction and action and elaborates on sources of financing for long-term investments in social protection systems.
Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific 2022
The Workforce We Need
The Social Outlook is a flagship ESCAP publication produced every two years with a dedicated focus on social development issues in Asia and the Pacific. In 2022, under the theme of “The Workforce We Need”, the Social Outlook focuses on building a healthy, protected and productive workforce in Asia and the Pacific to achieve inclusive and sustainable development and build back better after COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the presence of four key megatrends including climate change, ageing, digitalization and rising inequalities which has already prompted green, demographic and digital transitions that are altering the future world of work. Through its analysis, the Social Outlook aims to strengthen the evidence base and build capacity of policymakers on how to design and expand social protection, active labour market policies and health systems to achieve a resilient workforce today and in the future. The Report is structured along six chapters. Chapter 1 sets the latest social development context in the region highlighting the need for deepening solidarity and rebuilding trust to implement the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. Next, Chapters 2-4 delve into three components of a resilient workforce, namely a healthy, productive, and protected workforce and emphasize the role of such a workforce in inclusive and sustainable development. Chapter 5 discusses policy recommendations for attaining such a workforce in Asia and the Pacific and proposes the renewal of the social contract which can put the region on a path for breakthrough and prosperity. Chapter 6 concludes.
Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific 2021
The Protection We Want
