Worldwide trends in social security, 1979

The data in Social Security Programs Throughout the World, 1979 indicate that new programs and improved benefits continue to be developed in many countries to increase protection against the economic consequences of old age, invalidity, sickness, work injury, unemployment, and death. A comparison with previous reports in the series reveals that payroll contribution rates have generally been raised to pay for the increased costs generated by improved programs coupled with inflation. Financial difficulties have frequently been compounded by a deteriorating ratio of contributions to beneficiaries as the growth of active workers tends to shrink and that of retirees to rise. As a supplement to higher contribution rates, some countries have sought to meet financial requirements by a number of measures, including expansion of the proportion of earnings subject to contributions, cutbacks in certain benefits, tighter controls on eligibility, and a search for ways to reduce expenses, particularly in the health care area. Also noteworthy are the greatly increased efforts being undertaken worldwide to attain equal treatment of men and women.