Social protection

Social protection is a measure of the extent to which countries assume responsibility for supporting the standard of living of disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. Benefits may be targeted at low-income households, the elderly, disabled, sick, unemployed, or young persons. Social spending comprises cash benefits, direct in-kind provision of goods and services, and tax breaks with social purposes. To be considered "social", programmes have to involve either redistribution of resources across households or compulsory participation.