COVID-19 and Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific: Projected Costs for 2020–2030

This working paper applies the Social Protection Reform Simulation (SPRS20) costing model to analyze the costs associated with social protection in 30 Asia and Pacific countries against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the SPRS20, the authors seek to estimate the cost of delivering standardized social protection packages through the emergency (2020), recovery/transition (2021–2023), and the remaining duration for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (2024–2030). Anticipating further demand and need for social protection for considerably large sections of the population, this working paper aims to foster further research and discussion on social protection in Asia and the Pacific and aid countries in strategizing for the future.