Are universal benefits a too costly tool for the extension of social security?
Universal benefits, together with mandatory social insurance, microinsurance, and means-testing, are a way for developing countries to extend social security. Although it has proven instrumental in the extension of social security, it has often been put aside by national governments and donors for cost reasons. ILO data has debunked this myth by showing that a minimum universal coverage can be implemented in developing countries with less than 1% of their GDP. With the Global Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All, launched in 2003, the ILO contributes to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, as well as to a fair and inclusive globalization through a heightened awareness of the goal of universal access to health care and basic income security for all. The policy vision is to go towards progressive universalism, which — as it has been proved — would not be a burden on the national budget. The argument given by the “pro-targeting” which states that faced with lim
