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Why is social insurance coverage declining in Egypt?: A decomposition analysis

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  • Ragui Assaad
  • Sarah Wahby

Abstract

We analyse the decline in social insurance coverage in Egypt from 2007 to 2023 to determine the extent to which it was due to compositional shifts in the structure of the economy and workforce, or to changes in coverage for specific types of jobs and workers. We conclude that only a fraction of the decline in coverage can be attributed to structural changes in the economy. The largest decline in coverage occurred in the period from 2014 to 2017 and was concentrated among male new entrants with no formal education in private sector services working in micro and small enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Ragui Assaad & Sarah Wahby, 2025. "Why is social insurance coverage declining in Egypt?: A decomposition analysis," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2025-98, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2025-98
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gabriel Ulyssea, 2020. "Informality: Causes and Consequences for Development," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 12(1), pages 525-546, August.
    2. Angel-Urdinola, Diego F. & Tanabe, Kimie, 2012. "Micro-determinants of informal employment in the Middle East and North Africa region," The Social Policy and Labor Discussion Paper Series 66594, The World Bank.
    3. Irene Selwaness & Ghada Barsoum, 2023. "When Formality Is Costly and Informality Is Legal: Social Insurance Design Woes at A Time of Economic Crises," Working Papers 1661, Economic Research Forum, revised 20 Nov 2023.
    4. Kimie Tanabe & Diego F. Angel-Urdinola, 2012. "Micro-Determinants of Informal Employment in the Middle East and North Africa Region," World Bank Publications - Reports 26828, The World Bank Group.
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