Publication: Paraguay : Defining a Strategy for Social Protection Policy
Loading...
Published
2004-05-24
ISSN
Date
2013-09-09
Author(s)
Editor(s)
Abstract
Despite the pervasive high incidence of poverty, Paraguay has not responded adequately to the need to develop a policy, aimed at providing effective protection to the population. In recent decades the social protection policies in Paraguay were not able to reduce the exposure to, and the consequences of social risks, due to flawed diagnosis, inappropriate program design, poor implementation, and budgetary restrictions. Nonetheless, the Government has identified some of these problems in recent years, and attempted to formulate reform proposals, but political and institutional obstacles prevented their implementation. Even though the Secretary for Social Action has developed the National Strategy for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequity, the institutional reforms and the protection programs proposed in it, have not been implemented. Likewise, both from the Executive Branch, and from parliamentary sectors, there have been attempts to reform the pension system, but no minimal consensus was reached, to enable discussion, and approval in Congress. Social protection policies and programs in Paraguay result from an approach to the problem, characterized by the absence of an integral strategic vision. The sector evolved as the accumulation of partial attempts to promote social protection actions, strongly influenced by sectoral interests, but it was rarely developed in an integrated manner, or based on a rigorous analysis of the real needs of the population. The report suggests that a sound proposal for restructuring the sector, requires the explicit formulation of a conceptual framework, in order to identify the priorities in a rigorous manner, and establish consistent methodologies for the selection, and execution of actions, developing an integral vision for the social protection policy in the country. In the context of this report, the interest is focused on a particular type of risk, which appears as central among the population's multiple problems: the insufficiency of monetary resources, expressed through poverty. In reference to that goal, we consider the two main components of the social protection policy: social assistance and pension systems. With respect to social assistance, the focus is directed to programs, and actions aimed at alleviating poverty of the population in general. With respect to pension systems, interest is concentrated on the actions of the State, to provide economic security for the elderly, who have already retired from the labor market. This report considers how Paraguay's social protection mechanisms work for individuals that have fallen into poverty, and lack resources and/or skills to overcome it. Therefore, social assistance policies are considered, while those related to general economic, and social development are not specifically contemplated. An effective social protection model in Paraguay must correctly identify social risks, and promote public actions that should not overlap, or limit individual, family, or community-based actions, but rather complement them.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“World Bank. 2004. Paraguay : Defining a Strategy for Social Protection Policy. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/15734 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
Digital Object Identifier
Associated URLs
Associated content
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by metadata.
Publication Reducing Vulnerability and Increasing Opportunity : Social Protection in the Middle East and North Africa(Washington, DC, 2002-01)Despite social, and economic diversity within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, social protection systems share common characteristics. This report develops a framework for a more integrated approach to social protection, and proposes general strategic lines of actions to guide the reform of social protection systems in the MENA region. It argues that, while during the 1970s and 1980s, economic growth rates outweighed growth rates in other regions, and social indicators improved dramatically, the model of development was not sustainable. It further, discusses key features, and major weaknesses of the social protection systems in the MENA countries, by defining an alternative framework for social protection. However, it also argues that traditional social protection schemes, cannot constitute the sole mechanism to protect vulnerable population groups, help the poor, or increase social welfare. Actions outside the traditional social protection system, suggest promoting prudent macroeconomic management, improving governance, rethinking regulatory institutions, and reforming education, and health systems. Concurrently, actions within the traditional social protection system, include improvements in the financial sustainability of social insurance systems, reforming training systems, and designing safety nets as developmental, and community-based, not just assistance, and centrally administered schemes.Publication Kingdom of Morocco : Social Protection Note(Washington, DC, 2002-12-19)This note on social protection has as its objective establishing an exhaustive analysis/diagnosis of the existing social protection framework and of preparing an integrated approach through developing better social protection priorities and plans of actions. It a) identifies the social risks which the Moroccan people face generally; b) examines current social protection initiatives (public, private, and civil society-sponsored) set up to reduce poverty and the vulnerability of the population to shocks to their income and standard of living in both rural and urban environments; and c) identifies the different elements needed for an effective social protection strategy as well as analyzes the current strategies undertaken by the World Bank and other donors. This study is precipitated by numerous sectoral studies done previously. It completes the last "Poverty Update" (report no. 21506) and the last Country Assistance Strategy for Morocco (report no. 22115).Publication Togo : Towards a National Social Protection Policy and Strategy(Washington, DC, 2012-06-29)Over the last several years, the Government of Togo has made important advances in the area of social protection. Although Togo has had limited social insurance and social assistance programs, the economic shock and natural disasters starting in 2008 brought the need for better mechanisms of social protection to the fore. The Government response has focused on measures to address the needs of the affected populations, while building the analytical base for developing a national social protection policy and strategy. For example, several important social protection programs were launched in the last few years, including the National Institute for Health Insurance, a labor intensive public works program for rural areas, a school lunch program, and a pilot for cash transfer program targeting vulnerable children. The Government has also promoted access to basic services by the poor by eliminating school fees and fees for cesarean sections. As part of developing the analytical base for a national social protection policy and strategy, a series of studies and analyses were carried out over the last two years. International development partners have supported this effort and have worked closely with the Government in developing this basis. This report forms part of the overall packet of analytical work prepared to support the formation of a national social protection policy and strategy. The objectives of this report are to: a) synthesize the situational analysis on poverty and vulnerability and the current state of social protection policies and programs from the set of background documents; and b) assist the government through providing general orientations and strategic choices in developing a national social protection policy and strategy that would integrate the various ongoing efforts and components of social protection with a view to achieving the Government's longer-term goal of social protection for all. This report is organized in the following sections: section two provides a brief overview of the objectives, components and importance of social protection as part a country's economic growth and poverty reduction objectives. Section three summarizes the basic situation of poverty and vulnerability in Togo and identifies vulnerable groups and main risks and shocks. Section four analyses the current policy and institutional framework and reviews the main areas of social protection, in terms of approach, coverage, targeting and expenditures. Section five proposes basic elements for the Government to take into consideration in developing a national social protection policy and strategy. Section six identifies next steps in finalizing the preparation of a national social protection policy and strategy.Publication Effectiveness of Targeting Mechanisms Utilized in Social Protection Programs in Bolivia(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2015-09)As part of the 2006-2011 National Development Plan, the Plurinational State of Bolivia launched two cash transfer programs and one youth labor training program aimed at promoting the accumulation of households’ human capital: the Juancito Pinto Educational Grant, the Juana Azurduy Mother-Child Grant, and my first decent job. The objective of this paper is to analyze the effectiveness of the targeting mechanisms utilized in these programs. Based on the information provided by the Ongoing Household Survey, we estimate the mechanisms’ potential inclusion and exclusion errors. The results permit us to suggest that the categorical selection mechanisms used in the three programs are effective in reaching the poorest population, although they present distinct levels of inclusion and exclusion errors associated with both the design and implementation problems of the particular mechanism utilized.Publication Togo : Towards a National Social Protection Policy and Strategy(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2012-06)Although Togo has had limited social protection programs, the economic shock and natural disasters starting in 2008 brought the need for better mechanisms of social protection to the fore. The Government response has focused on measures to address the immediate needs of the affected populations, while building the analytical base for developing a national social protection policy. This report forms part of the overall analytical work prepared to support the formation of a national social protection policy. It finds that the most common safety net programs are in-kind transfers with limited coverage. It proposes basic elements for the Government to take into consideration in developing a national social protection policy and strategy and identifies next steps in finalizing the preparation of such a policy and strategy.
Users also downloaded
Showing related downloaded files
Publication Comoros Country Climate and Development Report(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-18)The Union of the Comoros (The Comoros) has significant vulnerability to climate change-related risks but has considerable opportunities to strengthen preparedness and resilience against these challenges. According to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index, the Comoros is the 29th-most vulnerable country to climate change and the 163rd most ready to adapt (out of 191). The Comoros archipelago is exposed to many natural hazards that adversely affect the country’s natural capital, people, and physical infrastructure. In 2014, the economic cost of climate-related disasters was estimated at 5.7 million dollars annually, equivalent to 9.2 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Between 2018 and 2023, as many as 11 tropical depressions or cyclones impacted the country, with Cyclone Kenneth causing the greatest damage, equivalent to 14 percent of GDP, resulting in total economic growth falling from 3.6 percent in 2018 to 1.9 percent in 2019. More than 345,000 people (40 percent of the population) were affected by the cyclone, with 185,000 people experiencing severe impacts and 12,000 people displaced. However, there is an opportunity for the country to grow more robust and shock-responsive, and to establish pre-positioned funding mechanisms to enhance future crisis response efforts. For the Comoros, adaptation and climate-resilient development are the key climate change focus areas, with the country projected to face 836 million dollars 2050 in additional costs due to climate-related impacts. Current plans to adapt to the impacts of climate change in the Comoros include efforts to improve water management, strengthen coastal protection, and develop climate-smart agriculture practices. Given the country’s reliance on its natural resource base for economic growth and mobility, protection of these resources from climate change will be essential for promoting resilient growth and development. In addition to growing the adaptive capacity of the country’s natural resource sectors, strategic economic diversification will be important to help minimize future climate impacts, and development activities will need to be undertaken in such a way as to attract low-carbon co-benefits. The Union of the Comoros is committed to addressing climate change through its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and national priorities. The country’s NDC (which was revised in 2021 for a ten-year horizon) sets ambitious targets, with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent by 2030. The country also plans to significantly increase the share of renewable energy in its energy portfolio, reaching 33 MW by 2030. This will not only promote low-carbon development but also reduce the country’s dependency on imported oil and coal, which currently make up 95 percent of the energy mix. Additionally, the Comoros has declared its intention to increase CO2 removals by 47 percent by 2030, compared to BAU.Publication Guinea-Bissau Country Climate and Development Report(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-23)Guinea-Bissau is endowed with a wealth of natural resources, with the highest natural capital per capita in West Africa (US3,874 dollars per capita), which could be leveraged for sustainable and resilient growth. However, Guinea-Bissau faces significant development hurdles, such as high poverty rates, political instability, and economic challenges, including an over-reliance on cashew nuts. Rural poverty has increased, and the nation's infrastructure, education, and health care systems are underdeveloped. Climate change poses a severe threat, potentially impacting agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure. Without adaptation, it could lead to a significant cut in real GDP per capita (minus 7.3 percent by 2050) and increase in poverty (with up to over 200,000 additional poor by 2050, that is, 5 percent of the expected population, in the worst scenario). The country's low greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise, mainly due to agriculture and land-use changes, with deforestation being a major contributing factor. Although Guinea-Bissau is a low emitter, it has high mitigation ambitions, targeting a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The Nationally Determined Contribution outlines significant climate actions, with initiatives focused on forest conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community development. However, the country's political instability, institutional weaknesses, and limited financial resources pose challenges to implementing these climate commitments, which depend heavily on external funding. The financial sector's underdevelopment and vulnerability to external shocks limit its ability to support green investments, though reforms could enhance resilience. Guinea-Bissau must consider its climate financing as development financing and vice-versa, engage the private sector, and integrate climate goals with national development plans to ensure a sustainable future. Concessional climate financing is vital due to the underdeveloped financial sector and the government’s limited borrowing capacity. Addressing Guinea-Bissau's vulnerability to climate change and its structural issues requires a cohesive approach that integrates development and climate strategies. This could involve improving governance, diversifying the economy, protecting natural capital, developing human capital, and investing in sustainable agriculture and infrastructure. The transition to a more sustainable and inclusive development pathway that supports economic growth is possible, but requires focusing on key strategic sectors, enhancing institutional capacity, and creating the conditions to mobilize finance. As a highly vulnerable country, there are myriad needs in the different sectors; however, to be more efficient and effective, Guinea-Bissau should prioritize actions in a few sectors, especially actions on biodiversity, agriculture, and social protection. Low carbon development, especially in energy and forestry sectors, could provide cost-efficient solutions and attract climate finance, including from the private sector, which will support the overall development agenda.Publication Mongolia Country Climate and Development Report(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-22)Mongolia’s development prospects are uniquely challenged by both the impacts of climate change and the global shift toward a low-carbon economy. The country’s efforts toward decarbonization pose significant challenges given the structurally high-emission intensity of its economy. While challenging, climate action also presents Mongolia with opportunities to achieve important development benefits. The effects of climate risks and the shift away from coal will have diverse impacts across different regions, communities, and socioeconomic levels. The report assesses the critical interconnections between Mongolia’s development ambitions and climate change action and identifies ways to transition to a more economically diversified, inclusive, and resilient development path. It highlights key climate and transition risks affecting Mongolia’s future development and presents a pathway to enhance climate mitigation and adaptation. The report also makes a case for strengthening policies to enhance resilience to climate change and ensure a just transition, particularly for the most vulnerable. The report is structured as follows: section 1 gives introduction. Section 2 delves into the linkages between development and climate in Mongolia and presents model-based findings on the economic and poverty impacts of climate change under different scenarios. Section 3 covers four in-depth sectoral analyses. The first two mainly focus on adaptation to climate change in the agriculture and water sectors. The third considers prospects for the extraction sector, while the fourth sectoral analysis focuses on decarbonizing power and heat generation. Section 4 shifts the focus to how the government can boost resilience for climate-vulnerable populations. Section 5 outlines options for mobilizing private and public financing and private investments to support the green transition. Section 6 examines the existing institutional and governance structure for climate action and presents recommendations to improve its effectiveness, and section 7 concludes with a framework for prioritizing the policy actions outlined in this report.Publication Kyrgyz Republic Country Climate and Development Report(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-11-03)This Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) on the Kyrgyz Republic aims to support the country’s development goals amid a changing climate. The CCDR considers two policy scenarios up to 2050: the business-as-usual (BAU) and high-growth scenarios. As it quantifies the likely impacts of climate change on the Kyrgyz economy between now and 2050, the report highlights key government actions to best prepare for and adapt to climate impacts (referred to as “with adaptation” measures), with a particular focus on the time horizon up to 2030. The CCDR also outlines a path to net zero emissions by 2050 (referred to as “with mitigation” measures, “decarbonization,” or, simply, “net zero 2050”), highlighting associated development co-benefits.Publication Jobs in a Changing Climate: Insights from World Bank Group Country Climate and Development Reports Covering 93 Economies(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-11-05)The World Bank Group’s Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) provide a crosscutting look at how countries’ development prospects, and the job opportunities they offer to their people, can be threatened by climate impacts and supported by climate policies. Climate change and policies affect jobs through impacts on productivity, energy and material efficiency, and physical, human, and natural capital. They can also transform employment opportunities, especially through complementary measures that help workers and firms adapt to and benefit from new technologies and production practices. Prepared by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), CCDRs integrate country perspectives, climate science and economic modeling, private sector information, and policy analysis to assess how countries can successfully grow and develop their economies and create jobs despite increasing climate risks and while achieving their climate objectives and commitments. Each CCDR starts from the country’s development priorities, opportunities, and challenges, and is developed in close consultation with governments, businesses, and civil society, ensuring the recommendations reflect national priorities. By combining evidence on adaptation, resilience, and emissions pathways, CCDRs highlight where climate action can reinforce development and job creation, and where targeted policies are needed to manage risks and smooth labor market transitions. Taken together, these elements can help create local jobs, ensure economic transitions are just and inclusive, and equip workers and firms to navigate the disruptions and opportunities of a changing climate and changing technologies.