Social Protection Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

“Over the course of the 20th century, Trinidad and Tobago gradually built up a social protection model with a strong contribution-based pillar (with growing access to health care services and education) in conjunction with a non-contributory pillar directed at vulnerable families. Trinidad and Tobago is an oil-producing country and has the third-highest per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the Caribbean, nearly double the sub-regional average. This favourable situation has given the nation the fiscal flexibility to invest in social protection. However, the country’s economic growth is highly susceptible to global fluctuations in oil prices.”(…)