Investing in social protection for good times and bad: An assessment of social protection financing in the Pacific and Timor-Leste

This report examines the current and historical levels of social protection expenditure in 14 countries across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

This research draws primarily on national budget documents (including budget estimates, reports and speeches) and annual reports or financial statements from provident funds and social security funds. It also provides an update to P4SP’s earlier financing study that was published in 2023.

Beyond social protection expenditure trends, the report unpacks financing sources, explores the impacts of inflation on social protection benefits, and discusses the fiscal outlook for the Pacific and Timor-Leste, as well as how this might impact social protection investments moving forward.

This report is led by the Partnerships for Social Protection team, based out of Development Pathways’ Australia Office, and funded by Australian Aid.