This technical paper, contributing to the 2024 Social Outlook, analyzes the price of inaction in social protection systems amidst escalating global challenges. Utilizing a global computable general equilibrium model alongside household-level microdata from 27 Asia-Pacific countries, it assesses how climate change, demographic shifts, and digitalization could exacerbate poverty if social protection measures are not sufficiently strengthened. The paper models various scenarios to estimate the expenditures necessary to mitigate these adverse impacts, providing a critical evidence base for enhancing social protection systems. The findings indicate that, under current social protection expenditure levels, poverty in the Asia-Pacific region is projected to rise due to factors such as climate change, an ageing population, and rapid digital advancements.