100 million more people access social protection through ILO support

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has helped extend social protection to more than 100 million additional people across all regions since 2016, according to a press release published on March 19, 2026. The milestone was achieved through the ILO’s Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All, which provides technical assistance to States. Progress was presented at the Programme’s Development Partners Meeting, held on March 19 in Geneva. The Programme has worked to strengthen national social protection systems so they deliver adequate protection throughout the life cycle. It has also supported just transitions in the context of new and emerging challenges.

Launched in 2016, the Flagship Programme operates across 50 priority countries and 16 thematic areas. During its second phase (2021–25), the Programme aimed to extend social protection coverage to 60 million people — a target it significantly exceeded by reaching more than 84 million. In 2025 alone, nearly 29 million people benefited from improved coverage as a result of the Programme’s technical support. The Programme also supported 180 institutional changes, more than doubling its target, ranging from new social protection laws to scheme reforms and strengthened operational systems. Since its inception, it has helped over 100 million additional people gain access to social protection.

Country-level results reflect the Programme’s reach. In Uzbekistan, the adoption of the Law “On State Social Insurance” extended legal coverage for maternity and sickness benefits to more than 6 million workers. In Angola, public spending on social protection increased to over 6 per cent of the national budget, up from just over 3.5 per cent in 2021. In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Social Security Organization launched its first mobile application and established a Social Security Inspection Unit in Vientiane Capital, steps expected to enhance coverage for 2.5 million employed persons. Suriname ratified Convention No. 102 and adopted a new National Social Protection Strategy.

Senior officials highlighted the Programme’s achievements during the high-level opening session. Sangheon Lee, Assistant Director General, Jobs and Social Protection a.i., ILO, stated:

“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.”

Pedro José Filipe, Secretary of State for Labour and Social Security, Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security, Angola, added:

“Through the ILO support, now more than 10 per cent of the population is covered by at least one social protection benefit.”

Development partners also reaffirmed their commitment to universal social protection through continued collaboration. Laure Rogès, Team Leader for Social Protection, Inequalities and Persons with Disabilities, Directorate-General for International Partnerships, European Commission, noted that the Programme’s third phase is fully aligned with the European Union Global Gateway strategy.

The Flagship Programme is now entering its third phase (2026–30), focusing on 40 priority countries. By 2030, it aims to extend legal coverage to an additional 20 million people, achieve effective coverage for 30 million more, and improve comprehensiveness for a further 10 million. The new phase will place greater emphasis on policy coherence, aligning social protection with economic, labour, fiscal, and climate policies. Strengthening partnerships — including through the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions — will be central to meeting these targets.