Determinants of Access to Social Protection Programmes in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Social protection is a key policy instrument for reducing poverty and vulnerability in developing countries; however, access to such programmes often remains uneven. This study examines the household-level determinants of access to social protection programmes in Punjab, Pakistan, using data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Punjab 2013–14. Access is measured as participation in at least one formal social protection scheme. Using binary logistic regression, the study finds that education of the household head, female headship, family size, formal employment, and urban residence significantly increase the likelihood of access. While some factors reflect responsiveness to vulnerability, others indicate structural and administrative barriers that disadvantage less educated, informally employed, and rural households. The findings highlight persistent targeting inefficiencies and underscore the need for improved outreach and more inclusive social protection policies in Pakistan.