The article reviews announced fiscal stimulus packages in 43 countries. In March 2009, the total announced for stimulus plans is US$ 2.18 trillion, or 3.5% of world's GDP, mostly in higher income economies. The majority of these recovery packages contain measures to stimulate firms, consumers,...

This article presents progress and challenges on the Bank of the South, in the areas of governance and administration, financial resources, investment portfolio, eligibility by type of institution, distribution of investments among member countries and concessionality, procurement,...

This paper presents the results of costing universal social protection floors in 34 lower middle-income, and 23 low-income countries, consisting of: (i) allowances for all children and all orphans; (ii) maternity benefits for all women with newborns; (iii) benefits for all persons with severe...

This paper reviews proposals for a Universal Basic Income (UBI) in light of ILO standards. Some UBI proposals have the potential to advance equity and social justice, while others may result in a net welfare loss. The ILO Social Protection Floors Recommendation (No. 202) includes a number of...

The paper reviews development assistance since the early 20th century, focusing on critical issues at the beginning of the 21st century: limited resources, increased bilateralism, tied aid, conditionality, instruments of development assistance, and the lack of a common global agenda. It belongs...

From 1981 to 2014, thirty countries privatized fully or partially their public mandatory pensions; as of 2018, eighteen countries have reversed the privatization. This report: (i) analyses the failure of mandatory private pensions to improve old-age income security and their underperformance in...

This volume showcases universal old-age and disability pensions as well as universal maternity and child protection schemes in developing countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, China, Colombia, Lesotho, Mongolia, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, Timor Leste and Trinidad and Tobago. The...