Leaving No One Behind: Advancing Evidence-Based Social Protection in the Maldives

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in collaboration with the United Nations Country Team in the Maldives and the Ministry of Social and Family Development convened a National Workshop on Social Protection and Leaving No One Behind, bringing together government officials, UN representatives, civil society, for a full-day dialogue on strengthening national capacities to inform inclusive and evidence-based social protection policies. 

The workshop took place against the backdrop of ongoing global crises and persistent coverage gaps. Despite notable progress, only 55 percent of the population in Asia and the Pacific is currently covered by a social protection scheme. This leaves 45 percent of people without adequate protection against life cycle risks, systemic shocks, and crises, further heightening their vulnerability to poverty, inequality, and socio-economic instability.

This national workshop forms part of a broader regional technical assistance project, implemented by ESCAP and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)during the 2024–2026 period, entitled “Strengthening Capacity for Evidence-Based Social Protection Policies for Responding to the Triple Global Crisis in Fuel, Food and Finance.” The project targets six countries across Africa and the Asia-Pacific region and aims to strengthen social protection systems by building national capacities to identify those furthest behind and to design and implement inclusive, evidence-based, and shock-responsive policies.

This initiative seeks to strengthen national capacities by equipping policymakers with the tools and knowledge necessary to identify those left furthest behind and design inclusive, responsive, and sustainable social protection schemes. In the Maldives, this effort aligns with broader development goals and the government’s commitment to eradicating poverty and reducing vulnerability.

The Social protection efforts in the Maldives has witnessed steady progress in recent years through contributory and non-contributory programmes covering pensions, disability allowances, and health subsidies. All non-contributory social protection programmes in the country are also supported by legislation, through the enactment of the Pensions Act (2009), Disability Act (2010), Social Health Insurance Act (2011), Social Protection Act (2014) and the Child Rights Protection Act (2019), Public Health Protection Act (2012), Health Care Profession Act (2015) and Human Rights Commission Act (2006). 

However, significant coverage gaps persist, particularly for informal sector workers, people with disabilities, and those living in remote atolls. To support national efforts in addressing these challenges, the workshop aimed to enhance local capacities within social protection programmes and to identify, reach out to and expand adequate coverage for those left behind. 

The workshop introduced participants to key tools developed by ESCAP and DESA, including the Social Protection to Leave No One Behind (SP2LNOB) platform. This online tool allows policymakers to visualize the potential impacts of extending social protection across priority areas such as health, education, nutrition, and living standards. It complements other regional platforms like the Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) platform and the Social Protection Online Toolbox (SPOT) Simulator, currently used in over 27 countries in Asia and the Pacific.

Participants engaged in hands-on group exercises using the SP2LNOB tool to analyse Maldives-specific data and explore strategies to inform social protection schemes with evidence. Drawing insights from the dimensions of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), the exercises highlighted overlapping vulnerabilities and informed discussions on integrating these tools into national policy processes. The workshop also reviewed the current social protection landscape, covering programme design, financing, and crisis responsiveness with presentations from national agencies and UN partners and a concluding ESCAP-led dialogue identifying next steps.

This workshop marked a significant step towards building a more inclusive and shock-responsive social protection system in the Maldives. By enhancing national capacity and fostering multi-sector collaboration, it laid the groundwork for sustained progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and the overarching commitment to ensure that no one is left behind.