ILO-backed programme expands social protection to over 100 million people globally

THE International Labour Organisation (ILO) has supported countries to extend social protection to more than 100 million additional people worldwide, in what experts describe as a major leap toward universal social security amid rising global inequality and economic uncertainty.

The milestone was achieved through the ILO’s Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All, launched in 2016 to help governments design and implement inclusive systems that guarantee income security and access to essential services across the life cycle.

According to an ILO Newsletter, released to journalists, the Programme has steadily expanded its reach through sustained technical support and policy reforms across member states.

Progress under the initiative came under focus at the Development Partners Meeting of the Programme, held on March 19, where stakeholders reviewed gains and set the tone for a more ambitious third phase.

During the programme’s second phase from 2021 to 2025, over 84 million people gained improved access to social protection—far surpassing the initial target of 60 million. In 2025 alone, nearly 29 million people benefited from expanded coverage driven by sustained technical support to countries.

“This demonstrates that the programme’s strategy of building robust social protection systems has paid off, progressively making social protection more sustainable, universal, comprehensive and adequate,” said Sangheon Lee, Assistant Director-General for Jobs and Social Protection, at the International Labour Organisation, during the high-level opening session.

Operating across 50 priority countries and 16 thematic areas, the programme has also driven more than 180 institutional reforms, including new legislation, policy frameworks and strengthened delivery systems; signalling a shift from fragmented interventions to structured national systems.

Country-level outcomes further highlight the impact. Uzbekistan expanded maternity and sickness benefits to over six million workers through a new social insurance law, while Suriname reinforced its commitment to universal protection by ratifying Convention No. 102 and adopting a national strategy. In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, digital innovation and compliance systems are set to improve coverage for millions, while Angola has significantly increased budgetary allocation to social protection.

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“While I know that we still have a long way to go, it is with a lot of pride that I share that through the ILO support, now more than 10 per cent of the population is covered by at least one social protection benefit,” said Pedro José Filipe, Secretary of State for Labour and Social Security in Angola’s Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security.

With the Programme entering its third phase from 2026 to 2030, the ILO is pushing for deeper integration of social protection into broader economic, labour, fiscal and climate policies—positioning it as a key driver of inclusive growth and just transitions.

The new phase will focus on 40 priority countries, with emphasis on strengthening institutions, expanding legal coverage and ensuring that social protection systems are anchored in social dialogue and international standards.

By 2030, the Programme aims to extend legal coverage to an additional 20 million people, deliver effective protection to 30 million more, and improve the adequacy and scope of benefits for at least 10 million others.

“For the European Union, continuing to strengthen cooperation with the ILO and partner countries remains essential to advance our shared goal of universal social protection for all… The Flagship Programme in its phase III is fully aligned with the European Union Global Gateway strategy, acknowledging that economic transformation and social development must go hand in hand to achieve a virtuous circle,” said Laure Rogès, Team Leader for Social Protection, Inequalities and Persons with Disabilities at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships.

“The Flagship Programme is essential to build lifecycle social protection systems that are firmly rooted in government policies and social dialogue and have lasting impacts on people, even if this is not something that happens quickly,” added Paula Nolan, Social Protection Policy Lead at Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Participants at the meeting, including governments, workers’ and employers’ organisations, stressed that sustaining progress toward universal social protection will depend on stronger partnerships, increased financing and coordinated global action.

Despite the gains recorded, stakeholders acknowledged that significant gaps remain, particularly in developing countries, underscoring the urgency of scaling up investments and policy reforms to ensure no one is left behind.