Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific 2024

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.