Social spending review aims to spur on reforms in Iraq

Genesis has been contracted to conduct a Social Protection Expenditure and Performance Review as part of efforts to improve social protection outcomes and accelerate reforms in Iraq.

The review entails analysing public expenditures and performance of major non-contributory and contributory social protection schemes against social protection policy objectives. The Genesis team is also evaluating the extent to which expenditure management is targeting the most vulnerable people in Iraq.

Our involvement is part of efforts to support the Government of Iraq initiated in 2021 by UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the International Labour Organisation and the European Union. The aim is to improve social protection outcomes and expedite reforms, moving towards a more comprehensive social assistance system. However, challenges remain in coverage, quality and access. Genesis has therefore been analysing the adequacy, efficiency and effectiveness of social protection spending.

The objectives of the review are:

To identify current social protection risks in Iraq, including who needs to be covered, what their challenges are, and where gaps remain in the system.
To establish the costs in terms of annual expenditure and financing structures.

The findings will support the development of a fiscal space analysis in the country, also being conducted by Genesis.