Welfare Goes Global: Making Progress and Catching Up

The globalization of welfare has had the biggest impact in developing countries, where more than five-sixths of the world's population lives. In Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, there has been great progress in eradicating infant mortality and illiteracy, people are living longer, and more young people are able to obtain a secondary education. Slow but steady rates of progress show that people in a majority of developing countries can expect to catch up with the high, fixed standards of welfare in the next three decades.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This groundbreaking book reveals that the health, education, and employment of billions of people have experienced significant improvements across every continent over the past three decades. The globalization of welfare has had the most profound impact in developing countries, home to more than five-sixths of the world's population. In Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, remarkable strides have been made in eradicating infant mortality and illiteracy, extending lifespans, and providing secondary education to a growing number of young individuals. These remarkable achievements are the result of a well-balanced welfare mix that harnesses resources from households, markets, and the state.

Despite starting from relatively low positions, only a minority of developing countries have managed to attain the high standards of welfare enjoyed in Europe, the United States, Canada, and the Asia Pacific region. However, slow but steady progress indicates that a majority of developing countries will likely catch up with these high standards within the next three decades. This acceleration is expected to occur sooner in China, driven by its exceptional success in utilizing its resources to promote welfare, while India may take slightly longer due to its below-average performance.

These conclusions are drawn from Richard Rose's comprehensive analysis of the Global Welfare Database, which combines official and unofficial data covering 95 percent of the world's population. The success of highly developed countries raises important questions about the appropriate level of welfare. At what age should young people transition from classrooms to the workplace to maximize their learning? Should older individuals prioritize length of life or quality of life? Should unpaid work, such as caring for children and elderly family members, receive the same societal value as paid work and tax contributions to the official economy?

These thought-provoking questions highlight the ongoing debate about the distribution of resources and the balance between individual well-being and societal contributions. As societies continue to evolve, it will be crucial to address these issues and strive for a welfare system that promotes the health, education, and prosperity of all individuals, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic status.

Weight: 496g
Dimension: 245 x 160 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198908463