Social Protection Index Brief: Social Assistance Programs in Asia and the Pacific

Key points

• Social assistance accounts for only 36% of total expenditures on social protection in Asia and the Pacific but benefits 58% of total target beneficiaries.
• Social transfers and child welfare comprise two-thirds of social assistance spending.
• Although cash transfers are gaining popularity in Asia and the Pacific, they should not be considered the centerpiece of national social protection systems.
• While social assistance programs will remain relevant for the poorest and disadvantaged groups, they cannot address all problems associated with poverty and vulnerability.
• Disaster relief is another form of social assistance that has increased in importance due to rising vulnerabilities brought about by natural shocks, including those associated with climate change.