Social protection in Iran: Recent advances and challenges ahead for a more child-sensitive system

Abstract

Iran is home to a large number of Afghan refugees, legal and illegal immigrants. There Is a high unemployment rate among youth, who comprise almost 30 per cent of the population. Since 2010, Iran’s largest social protection programme has been the quasi-Universal Basic Income (UBI) programme. A key priority for financing social protection is identifying and creating enough fiscal space. A more inclusive social protection system should guarantee that people living in remote areas, as well as Afghan refugees, have access to social protection in the country.