ABSTRACT
Every society, regardless of its level of economic growth or inclusive development, needs social safety nets. Social safety net refers to “noncontributory transfer programs targeted in some manner to the poor or vulnerable” (Grosh et al. 2008, 4). This is a narrower definition than social protection, which also includes developmental programs for families and children as well as contributory insurance programs for financing health care, pension, and unemployment benefits for the entire population. Social safety nets are the basic building blocks on which social protection is built and flourishes. The range of safety net programs and the level of associated expenditures are rather limited, whereas social protection programs vary a great deal, depending on economic, cultural, and political conditions.
