Summary

This research looks at poverty, vulnerability and social protection across the dimensions of health and education, gender, social cohesion, economic growth, and traditional protection networks in the Pacific Islands.

Description

Pacific Island countries (PICs) have varying social protection systems, informal and traditional. These systems are important in supporting the most vulnerable members of society and those affected by personal and natural disasters. In the Pacific Islands social protection has typically been an area of low government involvement. Knowledge about formal social protection in the region is limited, and there have been no studies on the impact of such schemes on poverty, human development and economic growth.

This research looks at poverty, vulnerability and social protection across the dimensions of health and education, gender, social cohesion, economic growth, and traditional protection networks in the Pacific Islands. It aims to improve the evidence base on formal and informal social protection programs and activities in the Pacific region and make recommendations on support for strengthening and expanding social protection coverage so it can contribute to achieving development outcomes.

The research was conducted by social protection experts and is based on case studies in Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu–representing the three sub-regions of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia–and a review of secondary literature. The research has resulted in a set of thematic papers:

Short thematic briefs

Achieving education and health outcomes in Pacific Island countries–is there a role for social transfers? [PDF 85 kb]
Achieving education and health outcomes in Pacific Island countries–is there a role for social transfers? [Word 545 kb]

Informal social protection in Pacific Island countries–strengths and weaknesses [PDF 103 kb]
Informal social protection in Pacific Island countries–strengths and weaknesses
[Word 754 kb]

Poverty, vulnerability and social protection in the Pacific: The role of social transfers
[PDF 1.0 mb]

Social protection and economic growth in Pacific Island countries [PDF 85 kb]
Social protection and economic growth in Pacific Island countries [Word 546 kb]

Social protection and gender–a life-cycle approach [PDF 85 kb]
Social protection and gender–a life-cycle approach [Word 752 kb]

Complete thematic briefs

Achieving education and health outcomes in Pacific Island countries–is there a role for social transfers? [PDF 153 kb]
Achieving education and health outcomes in Pacific Island countries–is there a role for social transfers? [Word 45 kb]

Informal social protection in Pacific Island countries–strengths and weaknesses [PDF 156 kb]
Informal social protection in Pacific Island countries–strengths and weaknesses
[Word 45 kb]

Micro-simulation analysis of social protection interventions in Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Poverty, vulnerability and social protection in the Pacific: The role of social transfers
[PDF 585 kb]
Poverty, vulnerability and social protection in the Pacific: The role of social transfers
[Word 466 kb]

Social protection and economic growth in Pacific Island countries [PDF 738kb]
Social protection and economic growth in Pacific Island countries [Word 650kb]

Social protection and gender–a life-cycle approach [PDF 175 kb]
Social protection and gender–a life-cycle approach [Word 48 kb]

Social cohesion and social protection in Pacific Island countries [PDF 93 kb]
Social cohesion and social protection in Pacific Island countries [Word 38 kb]

Country case studies

Kiribati country case study [PDF 1.5mb]
Kiribati country case study [Word 4.3mb]

Samoa country case study [PDF 1.9mb]
Samoa country case study [Word 1.3mb]

Available: Electronic Version.

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