Social Safety Net

Social Safety Net

Social safety nets, or "socioeconomic safety nets", are non-contributory transfer programs seeking to prevent the poor or those vulnerable to shocks and poverty from falling below a certain poverty level. Safety net programs can be provided by the public sector (the state and aid donors) or by the private sector (NGOs, private firms, charities, and informal household transfers). Safety net transfers include:

  • Cash transfers
  • Food-based programs such as supplementary feeding programs and food stamps, vouchers, and coupons
  • In-kind transfers such as school supplies and uniforms
  • Conditional cash transfers
  • Price subsidies for food, electricity, or public transport
  • Public works
  • Fee waivers and exemptions for health care, schooling and utilities

On average, spending on safety nets accounts for 1 to 2 percent of GDP across developing and transition countries, though sometimes much less or much more. In the last decade, a visible growing expertise in various areas of safety nets has taken place. However, even though an increasing number of safety net programs are extremely well thought out, correctly implemented, and demonstrably effective, many others face – and create – serious challenges.

Read more about Social Safety Net:  General Overview, Financing of And Spending On Safety Nets, Customizing Safety Nets For Different Contexts, See Also

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