As per World Bank’s State of Social Protection Report 2025, during the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency social protection responses reached how many people in developing countries?​

Correct option is B

Correct Answer: (B) 1.7 billion

Explanation:

• According to the World Bank’s State of Social Protection Report 2025, during the COVID‑19 pandemic, emergency social protection measures reached approximately 1.7 billion people in developing countries .

• These responses highlighted the importance of shock‑responsive social protection systems, especially in nations with stronger pre‑existing delivery mechanisms — those systems expanded more rapidly .

• 1.7 billion individuals across low‑ and middle‑income countries benefited from emergency cash transfers, food support, and other social programs during COVID‑19 .

• Overall social protection coverage in these regions reached a historic high of 4.7 billion people between 2010 and 2022 .

• Despite progress, 2 billion people remain inadequately covered, underscoring persistent global gaps .

• Countries with robust digital payments, registries, and case‑management systems were able to respond more effectively .

• The “shock‑responsiveness” capability is now recognized as a core component of social protection strategy .

• The pandemic response involved expanding existing social assistance and labor programs by an average of 28% globally .