Towards the Right to Social Security for All: Four Arguments for Universal Social Protection

Recent global data reveal a significant milestone in social protection coverage, with over half the world’s population now having some form of social protection. However, this progress is unevenly distributed, with high-income countries approaching universal coverage, while low-income countries lag far behind, at just 9.7% coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of comprehensive social protection systems, particularly in healthcare and income security. Despite global commitments to universal social security, nearly half of the world’s population remains vulnerable to economic shocks and climate-related hazards. This article presents four key arguments for universal social security: its status as a fundamental human right, the ineffectiveness of poverty-targeted programmes, the affordability and feasibility of universal systems and their potential to strengthen the social contract and reduce inequalities. Universal social security is not only a moral imperative but also a practical and achievable goal that can foster more resilient, equitable and sustainable societies.