THE “MISSING MIDDLE” PROBLEM IN SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND MECHANISMS FOR ADDRESSING IT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18935789Keywords:
social protection, social protection coverage, missing middle, informal sector, social insurance, social policy, social inequality, labour market, institutional mechanismsAbstract
This article examines the “missing middle” problem in social protection systems and its implications for
expanding social protection coverage. The study is based on conceptual frameworks and statistical data developed
by international organizations, including the International Labour Organization, the World Bank, and the International
Social Security Association. The findings indicate that a significant share of the population, particularly those engaged
in informal employment, self-employed individuals, and workers with unstable labour relations, remain insufficiently
covered by social protection systems. This gap reduces the effectiveness of social policies and increases socio-economic
vulnerability among these groups. Based on international experience, the article proposes policy recommendations
aimed at expanding social protection coverage, integrating informal workers into social insurance systems, and improving
institutional mechanisms of social protection.
References
International Labour Organization. (2021). World Social Protection Report 2020–2022: Social protection at the
crossroads – in pursuit of a better future. Geneva: ILO.
International Labour Organization. (2012). Social Protection Floors Recommendation (No. 202). Geneva: ILO.
World Bank. (2019). Protecting All: Risk Sharing for a Diverse and Diversifying World of Work. Washington, DC: World
Bank.
International Social Security Association. (2022). Extending Social Security Coverage: Good Practices Guide. Geneva:
ISSA.
Barr, N. (2012). The Economics of the Welfare State. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Esping-Andersen, G. (1990). The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Devereux, S., & Sabates-Wheeler, R. (2004). Transformative Social Protection. Brighton: Institute of Development
Studies.
Holzmann, R., & Hinz, R. (2005). Old-Age Income Support in the 21st Century: An International Perspective on Pension
Systems and Reform. Washington, DC: World Bank.
International Social Security Association. (2021). Administrative Solutions for Coverage Extension. Geneva: ISSA.
Атамурадов, Ш. А. (2021). Инновацион тадбиркорлик фаолиятини венчур фондлари орқали молиялаштиришнинг
ташкилий-иқтисодий механизмини такомиллаштириш. Иқтисод фанлари бўйича фалсафа доктори (PhD) илмий
даражасини олиш учун диссертация автореферати, 8.
Атамурадов Шерзод Акрамович (2022). Корхонанинг инновацион фаолиятини стратегик режалаштиришда
boston consulting group (bcg) матрицасидан фойдаланиш. Экономика и финансы (Узбекистан), (12 (160)), 43-50.
doi: 10.34920/EIF/VOL_2022_ISSUE_12_6
Атамурадов Шерзод Акрамович (2023). Жаҳон амалиётида вeнчур капитали бозорининг ташкилий субъектлари.
Экономика и финансы (Узбекистан), (1 (161)), 58-65. doi: 10.34920/EIF/VOL_2023_ISSUE_1_8
Atamuradov Ш. (2023). Financing of innovative projects through venture funds and the types of risk involved in
it. Economics and Innovative Technologies, 11(1), 24–35. https://doi.org/10.55439/EIT/vol11_iss1/a3
