Micro-Insurance in the Context of Social Protection

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the role of micro-insurance as an element of social protection. It outlines the current status of micro-insurance provision in Ghana and Sri Lanka, two countries with very different socio-cultural backgrounds. It concludes that both countries are unlikely to extend their social security systems to the entire population in the short to medium term, making private micro-insurance initiatives essential mechanisms to help people reduce their vulnerability.