ILO Expands Social Protection to 55 Million People Worldwide

The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All has expanded access to social protection benefits for over 55 million people worldwide during its second phase, covering the period from 2021 to 2025.

During the annual development partners’ meeting held  in Geneva last week, 55 representatives from governments, employers’ organizations, and workers’ groups, alongside 1,400 online participants, discussed key progress in strengthening social protection systems and expanding social security coverage. Participants emphasized the ILO’s role and strategic partnerships in advancing universal social protection.

The program, currently in its second phase, aims to help countries broaden social protection coverage, provide a comprehensive set of benefits, and enhance their adequacy. According to the ILO’s 2024 World Social Protection Report, for the first time, 52.4% of the global population is covered by at least one social protection scheme. However, 3.8 billion people remain unprotected, highlighting the need for continued efforts to achieve universal social protection, according to Mia Seppo, Deputy Director-General for Employment and Social Protection,  ILO. 

Established in 2016, the Global Flagship Programme has played a crucial role in making social protection a reality, ensuring access to essential healthcare, supporting workers during crises, and providing opportunities for a secure retirement. The program contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1.3 and 3.8 through projects in 50 priority countries and policy advisory work in 16 thematic areas. It addresses issues such as population aging, informal labor, access to healthcare, climate change, and economic fragility.

During the high-level session, Adama Kamara, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Employment and Social Protection, highlighted the success of a recent awareness campaign targeting self-employed workers. Supported by the ILO and the World Bank, the initiative led to the enrollment of 1 million independent workers in the national social security system.

In its second phase, the program has supported 149 institutional reforms through the adoption of new social protection laws, establishment or reform of schemes, and operational improvements. These efforts have strengthened social protection systems, enhancing coverage, benefit adequacy, and overall inclusivity. With one year remaining in the current phase, the program is approaching its target of reaching 60 million people.

Discussions also focused on the design of the program’s third phase (2026-2030), which will coincide with the final years of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and progress toward SDG target 1.3.1. The next phase is expected to align with other multilateral initiatives, including the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions and the Global Coalition for Social Justice.