The UN’s World Social Report 2025 has painted a damning picture – rising poverty, widening inequality and escalating climate shocks that are undoing decades of social progress. More than 3.8 billion people still lack basic social support systems.
Social protection policies and programmes are particularly sparse in low-income countries, where the need is greatest. Those left out, often women and children, are likely to also be the most nutritionally vulnerable.
As leaders gather in Doha this week for the Second World Summit for Social Development, one question should frame the discussion: “How can social protection systems not only protect, but empower people to break the cycle of poverty and malnutrition, across every stage of life?”
Nutrition and social protection are mutually reinforcing. When people have access to nutritious food, health and productivity improve.
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