Winning the Fight against Poverty and Inequality

The everyday life of millions of people around the world, from North to South and from East to West, shows that access to adequate social protection remains a privilege for the few. 73% of the world’s population does not have access to comprehensive social security systems (they may be partially covered, or simply not covered at all). Less than 30% of the world’s population has adequate social security coverage. 9 million children under the age of five die every year from diseases that are largely preventable. More than one billion people live on less than US$1.25 a day – a shameful situation.

This is a reality that affects both developing and developed countries. In the European Union, for example, non-EU citizens and young people between 15 and 24 years not in employment, education or training (the so called NEETs) are likely to lack access to adequate full social protection floor.