Social Protection for the Poor in the Developed World: The Evi

This technical paper uses the multi-country data from the Luxembourg Income Study to examine the institutions and levels of social protection for unemployment, disability, old age, and social assistance more generally, in a set of eight rich nations over the 1985-1995 period. These nations include those with expansive safety nets (e.g., Canada, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom). Risk of poverty due to old age and single parenthood as well as unemployment and low wages are examined. To the extent possible, the paper will differentiate between own provision, widespread government assistance (e.g., social insurance, universal programs) and more targeted social assistance or " welfare ". The effects on incentives and moral hazard (e.g., retirement, labor supply) will be also explored in a summary fashion. In closing, the paper will suggest lessons, for the design of social protection systems in Latin America.