The introduction to the report explains the rapid developments in policy cooperation at the EU level in the field of social protection, and, in particular, the open method of coordination. Part I focuses on major trends in expenditure on social protection and part II describes development in social protection policies in the member states.
This study analyses the social protection systems in the 13 applicant countries from an economic perspective, focusing on the functioning of the systems and the underlying structures. It looks at the socio-demographic and economic challenges the systems are faced with and the reforms undertaken and planned. The results are intended to enhance knowledge on social protection reform in Central and Eastern Europe, Malta, Turkey and Cyprus. The synthesis report is based on the 13 country studies. The country studies have been drawn up by national research institutes, the synthesis report by a team of social policy researchers from EU member states.