SOCIAL PROTECTION & JOBS DISCUSSION PAPER No. 2215 | DECEMBER 2022 Tracking Global Social Protection Responses to Inflation Living paper v. 4 Ugo Gentilini, Mohamed Almenfi, Hrishikesh TMM Iyengar, Giorgia Valleriani, Yuko Okamura, Emilio Raul Urteaga, and Sheraz Aziz © 2022 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: +1 (202) 473 1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. 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Abstract retro geometric background: © iStock.com/marigold_88 Project 41595 Tracking Global Social Protection Responses to Inflation Living paper v.4 Ugo Gentilini, Mohamed Almenfi, Hrishikesh TMM Iyengar, Giorgia Valleriani, Yuko Okamura, Emilio Raul Urteaga, and Sheraz Aziz i Acknowledgments This team is grateful to Michal Rutkowski for his precious guidance, and to Emma Sameh Wadie Hobson, Luc Christiaensen and Juul Pinxten for peer review comments. This version benefited enormously from contributions by Ahmed Tawfick Rostom, Ailo Klara Manigat, Ana Simundza, Avirup Sarkar, Chipo Msowoya, Cornelia Tesliuc, Cristian Camilo Sanin Camargo, Danilo Smolovic, Defne Gencer, Dewen Wang, Emma Sameh Wadie Hobson, Gaston Ariel Cleiman, Franco Russo, Haleem Al Kazali, John Van Dyck, Jordi Gallego, Julian Alexander Koschorke, Laura Bermeo, Luz Stella Rodriguez, Mack Capehart Mulbah, Matthew Dornan, Melissa Zumaeta, Michele Zini, Miriam Montenegro, Muderis Abdullahi Mohammed, Nadia Selim, Pablo Ariel Acosta, Patricia Orna, Pyan Amin, Rada Nawwaf, Nafe Naji, Raquel Kimie Pereira De Sousa Tsukada, Robert S. Chase, Pamela Dale, Santiago De la Cadena Becerra, Sarah Coll-Black, Sarika Gupta, Snjez Plevko, Mitja Del Bono, Stevan Stanisic, Steisianasari Mileiva, Ubah Thomas Ubah, Vincenzo Vinci, and Yasuhiro Kawasoe. Views are only those of the authors. For more information, inquiries, and feedback, please contact ugentilini@worldbank.org and malmenfi@worldbank.org. ii Abstract Between September and December 2022, the number of social protection and other related measures announced or implemented in response to inflation rose by about 67%. The latest tally includes 1,016 responses across 170 economies. Overall, subsidies claim 34% of such measures and take four main forms (fuel, food, fertilizers, and various fee subsidies). Social assistance accounts for 29% of responses, 78% of which is provided in the form of cash transfers. Tax and trade-related measures represent 21% and 6% of global responses, respectively. Active labor market policies and social insurance claim a share of 5% each. Based on coverage data from 93 countries, social protection programs cover or are planning to cover 1.05 billion people (or about 13.5% of the world’s population). Similarly, based on expenditure data from 382 programs across 125 economies, a total of $710.6 billion is being invested in social protection responses. This involves an average country spending of 0.74% of its GDP. The average size of both social assistance and subsidy transfers represents about a quarter of the daily median income, while their average duration is 4.7 months. Over half of social assistance transfers are new (53%) and are provided on a one-off basis (51%). iii About this tracker This discussion paper provides an update on social protection and related responses to the food, fuel, fertilizer, and other price shocks sparked or accelerated by the Ukraine war. Although some of these measures to mitigate the increase in prices started in late 2021, the vast majority of them were introduced between early and mid-2022. This discussion paper complements other two ongoing thematic trackers of global, regional and country-level action on how social protection is being leveraged in crises – one on Covid-19 responses (16 versions) and another on displaced population due to the Ukraine war (4 versions). As for the above-mentioned trackers, the issuance of subsequent versions would hinge on the number of responses observed at the economy-level. The current note tracks six broad measures, namely social assistance, social insurance, labor markets, trade-related measures, subsidies, and tax measures. Subsidies include five subcategories, i.e., fuel, food, fertilizers and agriculture inputs, and fee subsidies. The tracker captures fiscal and (some) monetary policies announced or implemented to reduce the impact of inflation on consumers. For instance, (unconventional) monetary policies that provide direct transfers or tax relief to the population are part of the stocktaking, while (conventional) monetary measures in terms of interest rates or assistance to firms are excluded. Information on remittances is not included given that the tracker only captures government responses. Data and analysis are preliminary and meant to elicit comments, additions, integration, and revisions to be incorporated in the next living paper versions. To this effect, continuous monitoring of data and responses is ongoing. Information sources for reported measures are provided as web links. Suggestions on materials and measures to be included in future updates are welcome and could be signaled to the team directly. To ease reference, previous versions of the tracker can be found here: • Tracking Global Social Protection Responses to Price Shocks (version 1) • Tracking Global Social Protection Responses to Price Shocks (version 2) • Tracking Global Social Protection Responses to Price Shocks (version 3) iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Directory: quick links to economy-specific measures................................................................ 1 Executive summary....................................................................................................................... 2 Snapshot: inflation versus Covid-19 responses .......................................................................... 4 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 5 Spending .......................................................................................................................................8 Coverage.....................................................................................................................................11 Adequacy and duration...............................................................................................................16 3. Subsidies................................................................................................................................... 20 Fuel subsidies .............................................................................................................................21 Food subsidies ............................................................................................................................24 Fertilizer subsidies......................................................................................................................25 Fee subsidies ..............................................................................................................................26 4. Social assistance ...................................................................................................................... 30 Cash transfers .............................................................................................................................31 In-kind transfers .........................................................................................................................34 Social pensions ...........................................................................................................................35 Public works ...............................................................................................................................35 School feeding ............................................................................................................................35 5. Social insurance....................................................................................................................... 35 Pensions......................................................................................................................................36 Social security contribution........................................................................................................37 Unemployment insurance...........................................................................................................37 6. Active labor market and economic inclusion programs...................................................... 37 Wage increases ...........................................................................................................................37 Wage subsidies ...........................................................................................................................38 Training & intermediation..........................................................................................................38 7. Trade measures ....................................................................................................................... 39 Export/import restrictions ..........................................................................................................39 v Import/export easing ..................................................................................................................40 8. Tax measures ........................................................................................................................... 40 Direct taxes .................................................................................................................................40 Indirect taxes ..............................................................................................................................42 Annex 1. Regional responses ...................................................................................................... 45 Sub-Saharan Africa (AFR) .........................................................................................................45 East Asia and Pacific (EAP).......................................................................................................49 Europe and Central Asia (ECA) .................................................................................................52 Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) ...................................................................................56 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) .....................................................................................58 North America (NA) ..................................................................................................................61 South Asia (SAR) .......................................................................................................................63 Annex 2. Classification of measures .......................................................................................... 65 Annex 3. Coverage methodology ............................................................................................... 67 Annex 4. Social assistance and subsidies: descriptive statistics .............................................. 68 Annex 5. Coverage of top 10 CT programs & Regional coverage.......................................... 72 Annex 6. Spending ...................................................................................................................... 74 Annex 7. Regional and income level average spending share of GDP ................................... 78 Annex 8. Methodology for adequacy calculation ..................................................................... 81 Annex 9. Adaptations of cash transfer measures ..................................................................... 82 Annex 10. Classification of trade measures, by restrictions type ........................................... 85 Annex 11. Measures by countries and territories .................................................................... 88 Sources and endnotes................................................................................................................ 502 vi Directory: quick links to economy-specific measures 1. Afghanistan 43. Costa Rica 85. Jamaica 131. Rwanda 2. Albania 44. Côte d'Ivoire 86. Japan 132. São Tomé and Principe 3. Algeria 45. Croatia 87. Jordan 133. Saudi Arabia 4. Andorra 46. Curaçao 88. Kazakhstan 134. Senegal 5. Angola 47. Cyprus 89. Kenya 135. Serbia 6. Anguilla (UK) 48. Czech 90. Kosovo 136. Sierra Leone 7. Antigua and Barbuda Republic 91. Kuwait 137. Singapore 8. Argentina 49. Denmark 92. Kyrgyz Republic 138. Slovakia 9. Armenia 50. Djibouti 93. Latvia 139. Slovenia 10. Aruba 51. Dominica 94. Lebanon 140. Somalia 11. Australia 52. Dominican 95. Lesotho 141. South Africa 12. Austria Republic 96. Liberia 142. South Korea 13. Azerbaijan 53. Ecuador 97. Libya 143. Spain 14. Bahamas, The 54. Egypt 98. Lithuania 144. Sri Lanka 15. Bahrain 55. El Salvador 99. Macao 145. St. Kitts and Nevis 16. Bangladesh 56. Estonia 100. Madagascar 146. St. Lucia 17. Barbados 57. Eswatini 101. Malawi 147. St. Martin 18. Belarus 58. Ethiopia 102. Malaysia 148. St. Vincent and the Grenadines 19. Belgium 59. Fiji 103. Mali 149. Sudan 20. Belize 60. Finland 104. Malta 150. Suriname 21. Benin 61. France 105. Mauritania 151. Sweden 22. Bermuda 62. Gabon 106. Mauritius 152. Syria 23. Bosnia and 63. Gambia 107. Mexico 153. Taiwan Herzegovina 64. Georgia 108. Moldova 154. Tajikistan 24. Botswana 65. Germany 109. Montenegro 155. Tanzania 25. Brazil 66. Ghana 110. Morocco 156. Thailand 26. British Virgin Islands 67. Greece 111. Mozambique 157. Togo 27. Bulgaria 68. Grenada 112. Namibia 158. Tunisia 28. Burkina Faso 69. Guatemala 113. Netherlands 159. Turkey 29. Burundi 70. Guinea 114. New Zealand 160. Turkmenistan 30. Cambodia 71. Guinea-Bissau 115. Nicaragua 161. Turks and Caicos Islands 31. Cameroon 72. Guyana 116. Niger 162. Uganda 32. Canada 73. Haiti 117. Nigeria 163. United Arab Emirates 33. Cape Verde 74. Honduras 118. North 164. United Kingdom 34. Cayman Islands 75. Hong Kong Macedonia 165. United States 35. Central African 76. Hungary 119. Norway 166. Uruguay Republic 77. Iceland 120. Oman 167. Uzbekistan 36. Chad 78. India 121. Pakistan 168. Vietnam 37. Chile 79. Indonesia 122. Panama 169. Zambia 38. China 80. Iran 123. Paraguay 170. Zimbabwe 39. Colombia 81. Iraq 124. Peru 40. Comoros 82. Ireland 125. Philippines 41. Congo, Dem. Rep. 83. Israel 126. Poland 42. Congo, Rep. 84. Italy 127. Portugal 128. Qatar 129. Réunion (France) 130. Romania 1 Executive summary A total of 1,016 social protection and related measures to counter inflation are announced or implemented across 170 economies. This represents a 67% increase in measures recorded since September 2022 and over a fourfold increase since April. Overall, subsidies are the most common measure, claiming 34% of social protection responses to inflation. There are at least four types of subsidy programs, including those related to fuel, food, fertilizers, and various forms of fees. There are at least 3 programs with 100% coverage, such as Poland’s electricity price cap, Hong Kong’s HK$1,000 ($129) electricity subsidy and Cyprus’ electricity subsidy. Fee subsidies are the most used form (47% of total subsidies); of which about 47% concern utility bill discounts, as Belgium’s $160 Electricity and $72 Gas support or Jamaica’s 20% electricity subsidy scheme reaching 460,000 customers. Fuel, food, and agricultural inputs account for 23%, 16%, and 14% of total subsidies, respectively. Examples of fuel come from Barbados, which introduced a price cap on fuel prices until January 2023, or from Portugal which provided a 10% discount for farmers on each litre of agricultural diesel. Support will cost EUR40 million ($47.4 million; 0.02% of its GDP). Similarly, food subsidies include, for instance, price control measures as the Bahamas’ price control on 38 key staple products. Fertilizer and agricultural subsidy schemes are also put in place in several countries, such as Zambia, St. Lucia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Social assistance accounts for more than a quarter of responses; 78% of which is provided in the form of cash transfers. Unconditional cash transfers are reaching large shares of the population in select countries, such as 100% in Germany, 90% in Iran, 87% in Iraq, 59% in Greece, 56% in France and 52% in Poland. 30% of CTs (86 measures) are adaptations of existing measures implemented before the current crisis (e.g., the single parent allowance in Finland), including measures linked to Covid responses, such as the SSA Social Relief of Distress Grant and Housing allowance in South Africa and the Czech Republic, respectively. Next, in-kind transfers include food distribution (e.g., Cameroon, Djibouti), other in-kind distribution (such as seeds and fertilizers in Côte d'Ivoire), food vouchers (e.g., Portugal), and other vouchers (such as for transportation in Singapore, education in Haiti, fuel in Jamaica). Other programs include school feeding (e.g., Cape Verde, Djibouti), social pensions (e.g., Malta, Slovakia), and public works (e.g., Haiti, China). Social protection programs have or are planning to cover 1 billion people (~13.5% of the global population), based on data from 93 countries. Such a number includes the program with the highest coverage per country (irrespective of whether it is a subsidy or social assistance intervention). Disaggregated data by measure shows that social assistance is intended to cover 833.4 million individuals in 73 countries. Among social assistance programs, cash transfers plan to cover 725.4 million individuals in 62 countries. Subsidies are set to reach nearly 394.6 million people in 41 countries. A total of $710.6 billion, or 0.7% of global GDP, is being invested in social protection responses. Based on 125 countries or territories with available data, most of such spending is directed to subsidies ($382 billion), followed by social assistance ($225.5 billion) and tax measures ($72.6 billion). Spending on subsidies accounts for an average of 0.83% of GDP, slightly higher than the 0.53% of GDP devoted to social assistance. However, these estimates, as those for coverage, should be treated with caution as they may be driven by the countries and programs with available information on each instrument. 2 The size of social assistance and subsidies represent between a quarter and one-fifth of median income. Information on adequacy is available only for 34% (215 measures) of total social assistance and subsidy measures. Based on available data, social assistance transfers account for a higher portion of average median daily income (24%) compared to subsidies (18%). Most transfers take the form of one- off payments (51%), followed by monthly instalments (40%). Based on data from 333 measures, the initial program duration for inflation responses is 4.7 months, on average. Measures range from 2 months (e.g., labor market) to 6.4 months (tax-related measures). Information on extension duration is available for 30 programs (out of the 333 programs with duration information), revealing that countries, on average, extended programs for 5.3 months. Tax-related measures account for 21% of the global response to high prices with 212 measures across 87 economies. Most of the tax responses (76%) pertain to indirect taxes (e.g., VAT and Excise), such as the reduction of VAT to 10% on electricity in Finland or the 6-month cap for VAT on gasoline in Barbados. The remaining relate to direct taxes (e.g., income tax). These measures relate to some forms of adaptation, such as exemption of tax, reduction of tax, tax rebate, increase in the base/bar for tax-free income (i.e., increase in the tax exemption limit), deferral of payment, and suspension of annual indexation. For instance, the Netherlands in September reduced the tax deduction for self-employed workers prior ahead ofto the planned timeline, while Malta raised the pension income tax exemption threshold. Furthermore, many states in the U.S. have issued tax rebates for tax filers primarily based on the 2021 tax year, with some being targeted at taxpayers earning below a certain threshold. Trade measures represent 6% of total responses and are implemented in 46 economies. These measures mostly reflect import/export restrictions (84%), mainly focused on food items, such as the export bans implemented in Mexico on white corn, beans, sardines, and aluminum and steel scrap metal and in Mali on cereals. A slimmer share involves restrictions on the export of livestock, animal feed and fertilizers. Some measures also concern export/import easing, reflecting a gradual reduction in the stringency of export restrictions. Examples come from Kazakhstan’s lifting of the ban on the export of carrots and potatoes; or from Iraq, where the import restriction on certain goods including food items, consumables and medicines was suspended. Active labor market policies and social insurance account for 5% of global responses each. Most activation programs (present in 28 countries) relate to wage increases (i.e., minimum wage and public sector wage increases), especially in high and upper-middle-income countries. For instance, Andorra announced an increase to the minimum wage for workers by 5%, while Togo also announced to increase its wages by 10% but only for civil servants, military personnel and public sector retirees. Next, under social insurance, select countries are increasing old-age pensions (e.g., Argentina) and reducing insurance contributions (e.g., Greece and Belgium). For instance, Argentina introduced a vertical expansion to the current pension plan which will see a 15.53% increase for all pensioners (16 million individuals; 35.3% of the population) and Greece prolonged to 2023 the three-percentage point reduction to insurance contributions for private sector employees. 3 Snapshot: inflation versus Covid-19 responses 3856 4000 3333 Global COVID Global Price shock # of measures 3000 2000 1414 1179 1016 803 870 937 1024 1055 1000 685 752 609 505 564 376 283 418 221 103 0 V7. (1 May, 2020) V8. (8 May, 2020) V11. (12 June, 2020) V4. (10 April, 2020) V5. (17 April, 2020) V12. (10 July, 2020) V3. (3 April, 2020) V6 (24 April, 2020) V2 (July 2022) V16. (2 Feb, 2022) V1 (Apr 2022) V10. (22 May, 2020) V15. (14 May, 2021) V13. (18 Sept, 2020) V9. (15 May, 2020) V3 (Sept 2022) V1. (20 Mar, 2020) V2. (27 Mar, 2020) V14. (11 Dec, 2020) V4 (forthcoming) Covid-19 price shock Share of social assistance measures Social protection spending Number of cash transfer (USD trillion) measures Inflation 29% Inflation 0.71 Inflation 227 COVID-19 41% COVID-19 3 COVID-19 962 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 0 1 2 3 0 250 500 750 1000 Coverage of cash transfers Adequacy of social assistance (billion people, planned or actuals) (% of median income) Inflation 0.73 Inflation 24% COVID-19 40% COVID-19 1.39 0% 15% 30% 45% 0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 Share of 'new' Share of one-off cash transfer Duration of cash transfers cash transfer measures payments (# of months) Inflation 61% Infaltion Inflation 4 COVID-19 92% COVID-19 ss COVID-19 4.5 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 0 2.5 5 4 1. Introduction This tracker provides the fourth update on inflation-related social protection measures put in place globally. As of November 30, 2022, a total of 170 economies have announced or implemented 1,016 measures in response to soaring prices of food, fuel, fertilizers, and essential items. 1 This represents a 67% increase in the number of interventions – and an 8% rise in the number of economies with reported responses – since September (version 3 of the tracker). Various forms of subsidies remain the most widely used instruments, constituting 34% of the total response. Next, social assistance programs (e.g., cash and in-kind transfers) and tax measures (e.g., VAT and income taxes) represent 29% and 21% of global responses, respectively. Trade-related measures, including export restrictions, account for 6% of the total responses. Finally, social insurance and labor market measures account for a combined 10% of responses (Table 1). Table 1. Number of measures and economies Component Measures (share of Economies total) Subsidies 348 (34%) 134 Social assistance 291 (29%) 98 Tax measures 212 (21%) 87 Trade-related measures 63 (6%) 46 Social insurance 55 (5%) 37 Labor market programs 47 (5%) 34 Total 1,016 170 While some economies already announced measures for mitigating inflation in late 2021, the vast majority of social protection measures were announced after the start of the Ukraine conflict (Figure 1). A total of 327 responses were recorded in March 2022 (tracker version 1), a level that increased more than fourfold under the current update. Such increase has been mostly driven by measures in high-income countries. These represent half of global responses, a share that was kept roughly constant since March. Figure 1. Evolution of social protection measures in response to inflation 1200 991 1016 Number of measures announced 905 800 486 504 593 432 256 400 327 226 246 251 150 158 109 177 179 90 166 51 125 1 29 61 14 26 54 81 82 82 0 15 LIC LMIC UMIC HIC Grand Total 5 In terms of response composition across regions and income groups, only one region – North America – is significantly below the global average (34%) of subsidy response. Europe and Central Asia as well as the Middle East and North Africa are slightly below the global average (Figure 3). In contrast, more than 40% of East Asia and Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa’s responses are based on subsidies. Notably, South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa's trade-related measures are largely above the global average (6%), whereas almost half of North America’s response focused on tax-related measures. Social assistance ranges between nearly 25-40% across regions, except South Asia (14%). Among country income categories, Low-Income Countries (LICs) implemented the highest share of subsidies (39%), while Upper Middle-Income Countries’ (UMIC) share of subsidy and social assistance responses were lower than the global average given their high share of tax-related measures (Figure 4). Figure 3. Composition of global social protection responses by region 100% 6% 90% 18% 6% 21% 17% 17% 21% 7% 28% 80% 7% 5% 45% 6% 16% 70% 6% 3% 24% 5% 4% 5% 9% 5% 40% 5% 60% 30% 3% 2% 3% 50% 2% 24% 29% 27% 33% 14% 40% 30% 40% 20% 42% 42% 36% 38% 33% 34% 29% 10% 11% 0% AFR (n=45) EAP (n=16) ECA (n=46) LAC (n=36) MNA (n=19) North America SAR (n=5) Global Average (n=3) (n=170) Subsidies Social assistance Social insurance Labor market programs Trade related measures Tax measures Note: “n” represents number of countries or economies in the database. 6 Figure 4. Composition of global social protection responses by country income group 100% 13% 90% 23% 18% 21% 23% 80% 15% 7% 1% 6% 5% 10% 4% 70% 3% 4% 5% 6% 5% 6% 60% 6% 31% 28% 50% 31% 29% 23% 40% 30% 20% 36% 39% 34% 32% 34% 10% 0% HIC (n=59) UMIC (n=45) LMIC (n=43) LIC (n=23) Global Average (n=170) Subsidies Social assistance Social insurance Labor market programs Trade related measures Tax measures Note: “n” represents number of countries or economies in the database. 2. Overview of key performance metrics Available information on key performance indicators (such as coverage and spending) vary by intervention. This is an important caveat of the analysis, hence the relative magnitude across instruments should be interpreted with caution. The diagram below (Figure 5) shows the number of programs with available information across those main interventions. An important warning: estimates for coverage and spending, as those for the other performance metrics, should be treated with caution as they may be driven by the countries and programs with available information on each instrument. Later in the text, box 1 provides further analysis and explanation on the matter. Figure 5. Overview of coverage and expenditure information 7 Spending Data on social protection and labor spending is available for only 38% of measures (382 out of 1,016 responses; 125 economies out of 170). Economies, with available information, have invested over $710.6 billion (a 117% increase from version 3’s spending of $328.2 billion) on such interventions (Table 2). Table 2. Social protection and labor spending by income group and region ($ million) Income/region Social Social insurance Labor market Subsidies Tax measures Grand total (n=measures) assistance (n=18) (n=7) (n=147) (n=57) (n=382) (n=153) LIC (35) 2,804 532 41 837 66 4,280 LMIC (74) 13,992 12,240 0 64,345 271 90,848 UMIC (80) 31,021 30 4,902 52,232 19,687 107,871 HIC (193) 177,704 9,432 3,139 264,775 52,590 507,640 AFR (68) 2,222 0 41 16,641 524 19,429 EAP (40) 80,087 0 6,444 141,005 15,600 243,136 ECA (164) 81,228 9,434 1,595 155,286 48,548 296,091 LAC (49) 18,180 15 2 13,153 3,259 34,609 MNA (27) 17,152 12,786 0 10,242 1,474 41,653 North America (27) 24,979 0 0 1,540 3,209 29,728 SAR (7) 1,672 0 0 44,322 0 45,994 Grand Total (382) 225,520 22,235 8,081 382,189 72,614 710,639 Note: All non-USD spending information is converted using normal exchange rates (national Currency per U.S. Dollar, period average); rates were for December 2021 (source: IMF International Financial Statistics database). Lastly, “n” = number of measures for which data on spending is available. Spending on subsidies amounts to $382 billion (or more than half of total investment; based on info from 83 economies), while $225.5 billion is invested in social assistance accounting for 32% of total investment (based on info from 75 economies). Out of the social assistance spending, almost 94% was spent on cash transfers ($211.3 billion). The remaining 6% ($14.2 billion) of social assistance spending was devoted to in-kind transfers ($13 billion), social pensions ($13 million), and public works ($1.1 billion). Tax-related measures account for 10% of total spending ($72.6 billion). Over 60% of this spending is focused on indirect taxes, such as VAT and exercise duty, while 40% is directed to direct taxes, such as income and property taxes. Lastly, labor market and social insurance have a small share given the lack of available data on spending. 2 8 Figure 6. Social protection spending by income groups and regions (n = 382 programs) 500,000 52,590 400,000 USD MILLION 264,775 300,000 3,139 200,000 9,432 155,286 141,005 4,902 271 1,595 100,000 19,687 177,704 6,444 9,434 13,153 2 64,345 52,232 16,641 10,242 66 1,540 837 41 80,087 81,228 41 30 15 12,786 44,322 12,240 31,021 24,979 0 2,804 13,992 2,222 18,180 17,152 1,672 LIC (35) LMIC (74) UMIC (80) HIC (193) AFR (68) EAP (40) ECA (164) LAC (49) MNA (27) North SAR (7) America (27) Social assistance (n=153) Social insurance (n=18) Labor market (n=7) Subsidies (n=147) Tax measures (n=57) Note: n= number of measures for which data on expenditure is available. In terms of income groups, only Low-Income Countries are allocating more financial resources to social assistance than subsidies with $2.8 billion on social assistance and $837 million on subsidies. Lower Middle-, Upper Middle- and High-Income Countries are allocating more resources to subsidies vis-à-vis social assistance (Figure 6). In terms of spending as a share of GDP, data from 125 countries show that, on average, governments plan to invest around 0.7% of GDP. Spending ranges from 0.12% of GDP in North America to 1.18% in Europe and Central Asia; and from 0.29% in LICs to 1.05% of GDP in HICs. Spending on subsidies accounts for an average of 0.83% of GDP, slightly higher than the 0.53% of GDP devoted to social assistance. See Annex 7 for multiple graphs by regions and country-income levels. 9 Figure 7. Spending as % of GDP by regions (left) and income group (right) 1.18% 1.20% 1.13% 1.15% 1.20% 1.01% 1.05% 0.86% 0.79% 0.80% 0.74% 0.80% 0.74% 0.63% % GDP 0.40% 0.40% 0.40% 0.29% 0.12% 0.00% North LAC EAP AFR SAR MENA ECA Global 0.00% America (N=21) (N=12) (N=34) (N=4) (N=12) (N=39) average LIC (n=17) UMIC HIC LMIC Global (N=3) (N=125) (n=31) (n=44) (n=33) (n=125) Note: N= number of countries for which data on expenditure is available. Next, figure 8 highlights the evolution of SPL expenditure in response to inflation. Before February 2022, spending in response to inflation was low. Right after the onset of the Ukraine crisis, in response to growing food, fuel and fertilizer prices, governments across the globe spent over $200 billion on SPL measures, of which, $96 billion belong to subsidies and $48 billion to social assistance. Over the course of the following 5 months, the global cumulative spending doubled reaching $477 billion by the month of September. During the same period, spending on subsidies started plateauing, while social assistance measures were steadily rising, closing the gap between the two. Around September 2022, as the crisis continued and with winter months fast approaching, governments announced large budgets (especially in the European continent) and scaled up global cumulative spending to $680 billion. As of November 2022, governments are planning to spend over $710 billion, of which approximately $380 billion will be on subsidies and $226 billion on social assistance. 10 Figure 8. Evolution of social protection expenditures 800 710.6 680.2 600 477.1 USD billion 382.2 400 351.9 223.8 225.5 205.5 225.3 200 152.2 96.2 101.1 102.9 102.9 6… 48.4 Total Subsidies Social assistance Others Note: The graph depicts the evolution of cumulative SPL spending in response to the price shock. SA represents Social Assistance and Sub represents Subsidies. Coverage In terms of coverage data, the relevant information is available for 93 economies. Social protection programs have or are planning to cover slightly more than 1.05 billion people across the globe. To avoid double counting of beneficiaries participating in multiple interventions, country-level estimates are conservatively obtained by only considering the program of highest coverage (see Annex 3 for full methodology). Europe and Central Asia region is the largest region with coverage in terms of the number of people reached (338 million). Four regions have coverage above 100 million: East Asia and Pacific (177 million), Middle East and North Africa (161 million), South Asia (146 million) and Latin America (123 million). Countries in both Africa and North America are planning to reach 70 million and 34 million people, respectively. Next, regional coverage (as a share of the population) is computed by taking the population-weighted averages for countries with coverage information as a share of the total regional population. The global average share of the population is 13% (see Figure 9); ranging from 6% (in Sub- Saharan Africa) to 36% (in Europe and Central Asia). 11 Figure 9: Coverage as a share of the population (right) and absolute number of people (left) 1200 40% 1049.9 35% 36% 1000 30% 800 Million individuals % pop (weighted) 600 20% 19% 13% 400 338.1 9% 10% 7% 8% 161.4 177.3 6% 200 122.8 146.1 70.2 34.0 0% North AFR LAC SAR MNA EAP ECA Grand AFR EAP SAR North LAC MENA ECA Global America (n=22) (n=16) (n=2) (n=10) (n=11) (n=30) Total (N=22) (N=11) (N=2) America (N=16) (N=10) (N=30) Average (n=2) (n=93) (N=2) (N=93) Note: n= number of countries for which data on coverage is available. Disaggregated data by measure shows that social assistance covers 833.4 million individuals in 73 countries. Among social assistance programs, cash transfers reach 725.4 million individuals (87% of social assistance coverage) in 73 countries (see Annex 4). Subsidies reach nearly 394.6 million people in 41 countries with available coverage data, while tax, social insurance and labor measures reach 175.1 million (9 countries), 56.9 million people (14 countries) and 3.9 million (4 countries), respectively. As mentioned, these estimates should be interpreted cautiously as data for social assistance tends to dwarf information on food subsidies. On average, subsidies cover more than one-third (30%) of the population. Out of the 41 subsidy programs with available coverage data, 32 are new measures (those with an asterisk in Figure 10) while the rest have scaled up the existing schemes. In some cases, those interventions were expanded on a universal or quasi-universal basis. Examples of universal coverage are as follows. On 13 September 2022, Poland announced to cap electricity prices in 2023 at this year’s levels for the first 2000 kWh consumed for all households (100% of the population). Around PLN23 billion ($5.6) has been earmarked for these measures. Next, Cyprus, on 28 July 2022, announced electricity subsidy measures to absorb the rise in electricity bills for households and businesses for a period between September and December 2022. This subsidy would cover residential users 3 thus supporting 449,000 households (100% of the population). Similarly, earlier in March 2022, Hong Kong announced an electricity subsidy of HK$1,000 ($129) to 2.8 million households (100% of the population). 4 In terms of quasi-universal measures, consider Moldova, which, on 6 July 2022, announced a compensation program for high energy and heating bills for the upcoming winter months aimed at the most energy-vulnerable population. 5 The measure will be aimed at the elderly, families with many children, and people with disabilities. In addition, it will go to those in rural areas in the form of “support for cutting wood” for wood fires. It is estimated that 99% of the population 6 will receive some form of compensation, with 60% of the population eligible for the maximum compensation. Similarly, the UK has also a high subsidy coverage through its Energy Bills support scheme, which aims to cover over 28 million households (98% of the population). This scheme is part of the UK’s support package worth 12 GBP9.1 billion ($12.5 billion) from 2022 to 2023. Through this scheme, domestic electricity customers will receive a GBP400 ($550) reduction in their electricity costs from October 2022. Figure 10. Coverage of subsidies (% of population) Electricity price cap (Poland)* 100% HK$1,000 electricity subsidy (Hong Kong)* 100% Electricity subsidy (Cyprus)* 100% Energy Bills Support (United Kingdom)* 98% Fuel Factor Relief Programme (Cayman Islands)* 80% Household Utilities Credit (Singapore)* 69% Energy price subsidy (Estonia)* 66% Energy subsidies (Italy) 49% Energy subsidies (Sweden)* 42% Fuel Allowance for Employees (France) 40% HIC Average (N=21) 38% HIC Social energy tariff (Belgium) 20% Tarifa Social de Energia Eléctrica - Gas Bottles (Portugal)* 7% Housing benefit (Germany) 5% Energy saving electronic subsidies (Greece)* 5% Heating subsidies (Lithuania)* 4% Thermal energy subsidy (Croatia)* 4% Housing rent subsidy (Taiwan) 2% Scholarship programs (Spain) 2% Childcare subsidies (Israel) 1% Adaptation on housing rent (Andorra) 0% Fuel assistance program (United States)* 0% Electricity subsidy (Romania)* 83% Fortalecimiento del Aporte Social de la Tarifa Eléctrica (Guatemala)* 59% Electricity support subsidy (Jamaica)* 47% Energy subsidy (St. Vincent and the Grenadines)* 42% UMIC Average (N=9) 30% UMIC Readecuación de Subsidios (Argentina) 29% Electricity subsidy (St. Lucia)* 8% Energy bill discount (North Macedonia)* 1% farmers' subsidies for autumn crops (Azerbaijan)* 0% Subsidies for solar panel (Albania)* 0% Subsidy for high energy bills (Moldova)* 99% Ehsaas Riyayat Ration Scheme (Pakistan)* 62% LMIC Average (N=7) 26% Transporatation subsidies (Uzbekistan)* 9% LMIC Fertilizer Support Programme (Zambia) 7% Food subsidy program (Bangladesh)* 6% Programme multisectoriel pour l’apaisement et la réinsertion sociale des… 0% Land Bank (Philippines)* 0% Agri subsidies (Mali)* 15% LIC Average (N=4) 4% Fertilizer subsidy (Burundi)* 2% LIC Agri subsidies for farmers (Sierra Leone)* 1% Fertiliser subsidy project (Uganda)* 0% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% % population 13 Note: * = new program. Coverage rates refer to planned values. A value of “0” indicates coverage rates less than 1%. Social assistance programs reach, on average, 20% of the population. The majority of social assistance programs (i.e., 55 out of 68 measures) with available information are new measures (see an asterisk in Figure 11). The reminder increased coverage of pre-crisis programs. Annex 5 provides data for the top 10 cash assistance programs by coverage rates and numbers. Some inflation responses are large-scale and quasi-universal in coverage. For example, Iran announced cash compensations for increased prices of bread. The program will provide monthly payments (about $90) to 30% of the population in the lowest-income groups; additionally, $71 will be provided to 60% of the population, reaching 90% of the population in total. The top decile would receive no cash transfers. Similarly, Iraq, on 8 June 2022, as part of the emergency food security law, announced to provide in- kind assistance worth $3.4 billion which aims to cover 35 million individuals (87% of the population). Few other high-coverage social assistance measures are reaching more than 50% of the population. For example, Greece, on 17 March 2022, announced a fuel rebate e-card for a duration of three months. The subsidy comes in the form of a cash transfer through the use of an e-card for use at gas stations. The amount ranges between EUR30 ($35.5) to EUR50 ($59.1) for residents depending on the type of vehicle and location 7 of residence. 8 On 21 June 2022, the government extended the program to motorists for another three months (i.e., July to September 2022) and also increased the amount for car and motorcycle owners. 9 In total, the coverage is expected to reach 59% of the population. Similarly, France, on 15 September 2022, announced a one-off EUR100 ($118.3) payment to the 5.8 million households (12.9 million individuals; 19% of the population) that already receive energy vouchers. In October, the government augmented the number of beneficiaries of the voucher to everyone earning less than EUR2,000 ($2,365.5) per month net, that is, around 38 million people (56% of the population). Next, there are two social assistance measures which were provided universally: Germany offered one- off energy assistance of EUR300 ($355), with people receiving social assistance benefiting from a top- up of EUR100 ($118). Portugal increased the value of the auto-voucher (obtained by all citizens by paying at a fuel pump with a card) from EUR5 ($6) to EUR20 ($24) per beneficiary: while universal in principle, hitherto 23% of the population have availed such opportunity. 14 Figure 10. Coverage of social assistance (% of the population) €300 energy tax-relief payment (Germany}* 100% Fuel rebate e-card (Greece}* 59% Energy vouchers (France}* 56% Electricity Allowance (Poland}* 52% €200 one-off bonus (Italy}* 48% Cash of up to S$500 to eligible adult Singaporeans (Singapore}* 44% Bono Chile Apoya de Invierno (Chile}* 39% Household Support Fund (United Kingdom}* 31% HIC Average (N=22) 26% The Familienbeihilfe (Austria}* 20% One-time €100 to child subsidy beneficiaries (Slovakia}* 20% One-off for Pensioners (Croatia}* 17% HIC Quebec $500 one-off CT (Canada}* 17% cost-of-living adjustment grant for vulnerable people (Malta}* 15% Heating Cheques (Denmark} 15% Czech Children Assistance Program (Czech Republic}* 15% Middle Class Tax Refund (United States}* 7% One-off €200 to low income owners (Spain}* 6% One-off grant to low-wage earners (Israel}* 3% Cost of Living Support for Emiratis (United Arab Emirates} 2% Taxi-Driver One-Off CT (Macao}* 1% Summer Nutrition Program (Barbados}* 0% Student Training grant (Andorra} 0% Cash Transfers for Bread (Iran}* 90% Bono Alimentario (Peru}* 48% Bono Gas (Dominican Republic} 45% ö 800 cash assitance (Thailand}* 38% Auxílio Brasil (Brazil} 31% Vouchers to Pensioners and vulnerable citizens (Romania}* 24% UMIC Average (N=16) 22% Supplementary Budget-Pensions (North Macedonia}* 16% UMIC Assistance Voucher Programme (Guyana}* 15% Cash to Retirees and Pensioners (Argentina}* 13% Fuel Subsidy Mechanism (Jordan}* 11% After Care Funds (Fiji}* 11% Beneficio por Inflacion (Costa Rica}* 8% Health of the people and demographic security (Belarus}* 2% Special Economic Relief Programme (Jamaica}* 2% Eat is first program (Colombia}* 0% Cash-for-work (China}* 0% Emergency Food Security Support law (Iraq}* 87% Philippines Targeted Cash Transfer Program (Philippines}* 48% New Relief Package Benazir Income Support Program (Pakistan}* 38% Exceptional aid to neediest families and pensioners (Egypt}* 36% BLT minyak goreng (Indonesia}* 29% Senegal Direct Cash Aid Program (Senegal}* 28% Multiphase one-off Cash transfer (Uzbekistan}* 26% Nigeria National Social Safety Net Program Scale-Up Project (Nigeria} 24% LMIC Average (N=21) 19% BRACE -- cash to vulnerables (Tajikistan}* 16% food assistance to vulnerable people (Djibouti}* 9% LMIC Cash assistance -- AMAN (Lebanon}* 9% Agri support to agricultural producers (Comoros}* 9% Elmaouna program (Mauritania} 6% The Social Cash Transfer (Zambia} 6% People in Need Moldova (Moldova}* 4% UCT-- Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project (Sudan}* 4% Agri support to small farmers (Côte d'Ivoire}* 3% WFP funded food assistance (São Tomé and Principe}* 3% Programme multisectoriel pour l’apaisement et la réinsertion sociale des groupes… 2% LIPW -- Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project (Cameroon}* 1% Tea Sector Support Scheme (Mauritius}* 0% Citizen Account Program (Saudi Arabia}* 31% Baxnaano program (Somalia} 14% Climate Smart enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP) (component of Social… 10% LIC Average (N=9) 8% Burkina Faso Social Safety Net Project (Burkina Faso} 5% LIC Social Cash Transfers (Liberia}* 3% Niger Adaptive Safety Net Project @ (Niger} 3% Productive Safety Net Program (Ethiopia} 1% Seed distribution (Burundi}* 0% Agri support to smallholder farmers (Congo, Dem. Rep.}* 0% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% % population Note: * = new program. Coverage rates refer to planned values (except for Portugal which reported actual values). A value of “0” indicates coverage rates less than 1%. 15 For a subset of countries with planned coverage information available, data on actual coverage is still emerging and the tracker currently has information for 10 countries (Figure 12). 10 These countries planned to cover 81.6 million individuals but, at the time of writing, they only reached 42 million individuals. In absolute terms, the Philippines’s Targeted Cash Transfer Program tops the list by reaching 16.1 million individuals. Followed by Saudi Arabia’s Citizen Account Program and Guatemala’s Fortalecimiento del Aporte Social de la Tarifa Eléctrica reaching 11 million and 10 million individuals, respectively. In terms of share of the population, Cayman Islands’ Fuel Factor Relief Programme reached 80% of its population through this measure, followed by Guatemala’s Fortalecimiento del Aporte Social de la Tarifa Eléctrica and Greece’s Fuel rebate e-card, which reached 59% and 28% of the population, respectively. Figure 12. Actual vs. planned coverage for social assistance and subsidy measures (% of population, left, and million individuals, right) Fuel Factor Relief Programme Philippines Targeted Cash 16.061 80.0% (Cayman Islands) 80.0% Transfer Program (Philippines) 52.4… Fortalecimiento del Aporte Social 59.3% Citizen Account Program (Saudi 10.900 de la Tarifa Eléctrica (Guatemala) 59.3% Arabia) 10.900 27.7% Fortalecimiento del Aporte Social 10.000 Fuel rebate e-card (Greece) 58.8% 10.000 de la Tarifa Eléctrica (Guatemala) Philippines Targeted Cash 14.7% 2.963 47.8% Fuel rebate e-card (Greece) 6.300 Transfer Program (Philippines) Citizen Account Program (Saudi 31.3% Burkina Faso Social Safety Net 0.998 Arabia) 31.3% Project (Burkina Faso) 0.971 Heating Cheques (Denmark) 14.4% Heating Cheques (Denmark) 0.840 15.1% 0.880 Burkina Faso Social Safety Net 4.8% Heating subsidies (Lithuania) 0.095 Project (Burkina Faso) 4.6% 0.110 Heating subsidies (Lithuania) 3.4% Fuel Factor Relief Programme 0.053 3.9% (Cayman Islands) 0.053 WFP funded food assistance (São 2.7% Farmers' subsidies for autumn 2.7% 0.044 Tomé and Principe) crops (Azerbaijan) 0.044 Farmers' subsidies for autumn 0.4% WFP funded food assistance (São crops (Azerbaijan) 0.4% 0.006 Tomé and Principe) 0.006 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 0 20 40 60 % population Million individuals Actual coverage (% of pop) Planned coverage (% of pop) Actual Coverage Planned Coverage Adequacy and duration Data on transfer adequacy (or benefit size) is available for 215 social assistance and subsidy measures (34% of the total social assistance and subsidy responses). 11 On average, the size of cash transfers, vouchers and subsidies represents 23% of daily median income. 12 Social assistance transfers, whether through cash or vouchers, are more generous than subsidies: the former represents 24% of median daily income, whereas subsidies account for 18% of it (figure 13; left panel). In absolute terms, daily transfers per beneficiary were, on average, $6.25. Average transfers range from $0.72 in lower middle-income economies to $8.67 in high-income economies (figure 13; right panel). 13 As for the other performance dimensions, these results should be interpreted with caution given the disparity in the number of programs 16 with available information between social assistance (in this case 184 programs) and subsidies (31 programs). Figure 13. Average daily benefits as a share of median income (left) and in USD (right) 25% 24% 150 BENEFIT SIZE (% OF DAILY MEDIAN INCOME) 23% 124.90 124.90 BENEFIT SIZE ($, DAILY) 125 20% 18% 100 15% 75 10% 50 5% 17.55 25 14.75 2.67 2.40 2.24 8.67 6.25 0% 0.18 0.72 0.03 0 0.02 0.21 0.02 Social assistance Subsidies (n=31) Grand Total LIC (n=10) LMIC UMIC HIC Grand (n=184) (n=215) (n=20) (n=47) (n=138) Total (n=215) Note: black squares in the right graph = average values; (n) = number of measures. All non-USD benefit size information was converted using normal exchange rates. The exchange rates used (national Currency per U.S. Dollar, period average) were for December 2021 (IMF International Financial Statistics database). Daily median income was obtained from the Our World in Data database. One-off transfers were considered bi-monthly given they are double the monthly amount on average. One-off payments were the most common form of payment frequency. This involved 109 out of 215 measures with available information, out of which half were single payments (the share of single- payments for social assistance and cash transfers was 52.2% and 51.2%, respectively). This is followed by monthly payments, which accounted for 40% of total measures (86 out of 215). The remaining 20 programs (9.3%) provided daily, bi-monthly, quarterly, or yearly payments. For example, Bermuda, on 15 July 2022, announced a $15 million relief package (0.21% of its GDP) that includes a one-off cash transfer of $150 to parents/guardians of each student enrolled in public school. Belgium, in September 2022, provided support to vulnerable households 14 worth EUR135 ($160) for gas and EUR61 ($72) for electricity per month in November and December. Next, in Romania, pensioners and other low-income families will receive vouchers for basic food products worth EUR50 ($59) every two months. Similarly, Malta, on 24 October 2022, increased the disability payment benefit size 15 to EUR4,500 ($5,322) targeted at parents who stopped working in order to take care of their adult child with severe disabilities. The payment will be paid once every three months in 2023. Data on the initial duration of the benefits is available for 333 measures across 120 economies. The majority are one-off payments (146 measures; 44%), 3 months (49 measures; 15%), 6 months (45 measures; 14%), and 12 months (31 measures; 9%). Considering one-off measures as bi-monthly, given they are double the monthly amount on average, the average duration is 4.7 months ranging from 2 months (e.g., labor market) to 6.4 months (tax-related measures) (Table 3). For example, Croatia, on 8 September 2022, announced a monthly cash assistance of HRK 250 per month ($39.3) to unemployed people. The duration of the program is 3 months, until December 2022, and is expected to cost HRK 65.8 17 million ($10.3 million; 0.02% of its GDP). Next, the Bahamas, on 12 October 2022, announced a price control on 38 staple items, mainly food products. This measure is set to last for 6 months. Lastly, Lebanon, on 14 March 2022, announced the initiation of cash transfer payments to 147,000 extremely poor Lebanese households 16 (632,100 individuals; 9.3% of the population) under the World Bank financed Emergency Social Safety Net Project (ESSN), also known as AMAN. It will provide a monthly transfer of $20 per household member (maximum 6 members per household), in addition to a flat amount of $25 per household. This measure is expected to cost $220 million (1.2% of its GDP). The full caseload is expected to be covered by the end of June 2022 and payments will be made to all eligible households on a retroactive basis from January 2022 for a duration of one year. Table 3. Average initial duration of global response (n=number of programs) Response Average duration (in months) Trade-related measures (n=25) 6.4 Tax measures (n=74) 5.4 Subsidies (n=71) 4.8 Social assistance (n=155) 4.2 Social insurance (n=7) 2.9 Labor market programs (n=1) 2.0 Grand Total (n=333) 4.7 Despite being limited in numbers, information on extension duration is available for 30 programs (out of the 333 programs having duration information). On average, programs extended benefits for 5.3 months with the vast majority extending benefits until the end of winter 2023. Taxes were the most extended measures with an average of 7.4 months across 11 programs. For example, Belgium has decided to extend the VAT reduction measure for 6 months until the end of the winter (until 31 March 2023). Uzbekistan extended its temporary VAT exemption on the import and sale of certain food items 17 for a duration of 8 months until December 2022. This measure was initially implemented from October 2021 until April 2022. Some subsidy measures were also extended with an average extension duration of 5.7 months. For example, on 29 March 2022 Spain announced a measure to cap the increase in rent (housing) to 2%. Initially set to last 3 months, this measure has been extended until the end of December 2022. A couple of trade and social assistance measures were extended with an average extension duration of 3.3 months and 2 months, respectively (Table 4). Table 4. Average extension duration of global response (n=number of programs) Response Average duration (in months) Tax measures (n=11) 7.4 Subsidies (n=9) 5.7 Trade-related measures (n=6) 3.3 Social assistance (n=4) 2.0 Grand Total (n=30) 5.3 18 Box 1. Explaining seemingly puzzling results: reconciling spending and coverage data for social assistance and subsidies Why do subsidies cost more than social assistance while reaching a lower (planned) level of beneficiaries? Part of the answer lies in the availability of data. Estimates for coverage and spending, as those for the other performance metrics, should be treated with caution as they may be driven by the countries and programs with available information on each instrument. In order to explain the puzzle, analysis was conducted for a subset of countries with available information on spending and coverage for social assistance and subsidies. This narrower pool of “common countries” with available information on both variables contrast with the more general outlook based on the larger pool of countries with data available for both or either instrument. The analysis yielded a total of 24 “common countries” for coverage and 40 countries for spending. This scenario confirms the broader landscape with social assistance having higher coverage and lower spending. Part of the answer could then lie in the level of transfers: if subsidies are more generous, then it could be that their coverage is lower while spending is higher. Analysis for 16 “common countries” for benefit size rules out such possibility as transfer levels are similar. An analogous test was run for program duration. However, data is available for only 2 “common countries” for such metric. We then turned the analysis on how coverage numbers are constructed: many subsidies are provided on a universal or quasi- universal basis (e.g., utility subsidy or fuel subsidy), but no specific coverage numbers are offered as part of program announcements or monitoring. Our coverage methodology reports the highest-coverage program with available information per economy (see Annex 3). Therefore, it is possible that reporting for subsidies coverage would include a second-highest program, but for which information is available. Note that this issue is specific to subsidies, as coverage on social assistance tends to be less generic (and usually coverage information is specified). We tested such hypothesis with the aid of spending data: in fact, a number of countries report large spending data, but do not correspondingly include large coverage data. This is the case for 7 countries for which we have high spending data, but reported “second-best” programs in terms of coverage. For those cases, we assumed their coverage to be universal (as these are broad-based, untargeted fuel or utility subsidies). Under those circumstances, coverage for subsidies would exceed that of social assistance by a significant amount: the total count of subsidy beneficiaries would be 515.8 million people as opposed to 372.2 million for social assistance. Such analysis cements and conforms to the overall narrative that countries are heavily resorting to subsidies as a premier vehicle for mitigating the effects of inflation. 19 3. Subsidies Subsidies are being put in place across four main categories, i.e., fuel, food, fertilizers, and various fees (Table 5). These are discussed individually in the remainder of the section. Table 5. Type of subsidy programs Category Number of measures Number of (% of total subsidies) economies Fuel subsidies 81 (23%) 60 Fuel subsidy 48 37 Price control (fuel) 33 30 Food subsidies 55 (16%) 45 Food subsidy 22 19 Price control (food) 33 32 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies 50 (14%) 39 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies 49 39 Price control (fertilizers) 1 1 Fees subsidies 162 (47%) 71 Education (fee waivers/vouchers) 5 5 Health (fee waivers/vouchers) 2 2 Housing (rent support) 9 9 Utility discount (e.g., Water, electricity, heating, cooking gas) 77 47 Transportation 13 10 Money transaction fees 0 0 Mortgages and other loans 6 6 Other 4 4 Price control (fees) 32 24 Green energy subsidies (e.g., EV subsidies) 14 11 Total 348 134 Globally, fee subsidies are the most popular form of subsidies (47%), followed by fuel and food subsidies with 23% and 16%, respectively. Fertilizer subsidy is the least popular form, comprising only 14% of subsidy responses. Food subsidies represent a sizable share of subsidies in MENA and SAR and a much lesser share in other regions comparatively. Fees subsidies have the largest share of the subsidy responses in ECA, NAC, and EAP, while fuel subsidies constitute a large percentage of measures in LAC with 46% (Figure 14). Fees subsidies were the most used subsidies in HICs, while in UMICs, fuel subsidies were almost as prevalent as fee subsidies with an 8% difference. Food subsidies were the most common subsidies in LMICs with 32% of the response compared to LICs (19%), UMICs (14%), and HICs (only 10%). Finally, the LICs’ share of fertilizers subsidies was the highest at 38%, significantly more than the global average (Figure 15). 20 Figure 14. Composition of subsidy responses by region 100% 14.9% 9.1% 80% 30.8% 31.8% 41.7% 46.6% 31.3% 45.5% 70.1% 60% 17.3% 16.7% 83.3% 14.4% 40% 25.4% 50.0% 11.1% 15.8% 7.8% 44.2% 20% 45.5% 5.8% 28.4% 30.6% 23.3% 16.2% 13.6% 0% AFR (n=33) EAP (n=13) ECA (n=42) LAC (n=29) MNA (n=11) North America SAR (n=4) Global (n=2) Average (n=134) Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Figure 15 Composition of subsidy responses by country income group 100% 16.9% 18.8% 80% 37.5% 46.6% 24.6% 67.3% 60% 37.5% 18.8% 14.4% 40% 32.3% 13.8% 18.8% 4.1% 15.8% 9.9% 20% 30.0% 26.2% 25.0% 18.7% 23.3% 0% HIC (n=52) UMIC (n=35) LMIC (n=31) LIC (n=16) Global Average (n=134) Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Subsidies plan to reach 394.6 million18 individuals and cost $382.19 billion. 19 Next, the average daily benefit size of subsidy measures tend to be $6.5, which is 18% of the daily median income. 20 And, on average, these subsidy measures have a duration of 4.8 months. 21 Of the 71 subsidies with duration information, 13 measures (18.3%) recorded extension in initial program duration of 5.67 months, on average. Fuel subsidies In general, 60 economies 22 have implemented 81 measures to reduce fuel prices through price control (fixing prices) and fuel subsidies (covering part of the fuel cost) (Table 6). In terms of program parameters: fuel subsidies are expected to cover 40.8 million individuals 23 and cost $59.2 billion. 24 Next, the average daily benefit size of fuel subsidy measures tend to be $5.1, which is 15.7% of the daily median income. 25 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 4.7 months. 26 Of the 16 measures with duration information, 4 measure (25%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 5.5 months, on average 21 Table 6. Types of fuel subsidy measures Category Number of Number of measures economies Fuel subsidy 48 37 Price control 33 30 Total 81 60 Fuel subsidies that cover part of the fuel cost include 48 measures across 37 economies. 27 Most of the fuel subsidies (which cover part of fuel cost) apply to all. For example, Costa Rica announced that it will change the calculation for the price of diesel. This will decrease the price of diesel by 5.5% per liter. Similarly, on 1 October 2022, Guyana announced to reduce the gasoline and diesel cost by 20% and 15%, respectively, from the Guyana Oil Company Limited, a state-sponsored fuel company. With this, the government hopes that other fuel providers will reduce their prices too in order to stay competitive. Some other governments have targeted their fuel subsidies to specific groups such as farmers or fishermen (e.g., Antigua and Barbuda, France, etc. 28), drivers of public transportation, taxi or cargo trucks (e.g., South Korea, etc. 29), and employees based on their commute distance and income (e.g., France). For example, the Philippines has dedicated an additional PHP3.5 billion ($71.06 million; 0.02% of its GDP) for direct fuel subsidies for public transport drivers, fisherfolk, and corn farmers in the 2023 budget. Similarly, Portugal, in October 2022, announced a fuel subsidy that would reduce the cost of diesel by 10% specifically for farmers to possibly reduce costs involved in food production. This extra support is expected to cost EUR40 million ($47.3 million; 0.02% of its GDP). Next, South Korea, on 17 May 2022, announced diesel subsidies to drivers of cargo trucks and taxis, who are suffering from a hike in diesel prices until the end of September 2022. It also lowered the threshold price set for subsidy payments from KRW1,850 ($1.62) to KRW1,750 Won ($1.53) per liter, resulting in a higher coverage. The subsidy applies to diesel-fueled logistics vehicles, including 445,000 cargo trucks, 21,000 buses, 9,300 taxis, and 1,300 cargo ships. Later in September 2022, the government extended the diesel subsidies until the end of this year. Countries like Colombia and Kenya have been reducing subsidies (box 2). Box 2. Withdrawal of fuel subsidies Some countries (e.g., Colombia and Kenya) are also reducing or withdrawing previously announced subsidies. In June 2022, Colombia announced that it would gradually reduce overall fuel subsidies to minimize the fiscal deficit. This comes after the country increased its spending on fuel subsidies for the first half of 2022 to maintain lower prices of fuel for Colombians at the time of rising prices. This reduction in subsidies is estimated to reduce the deficit by COP14.2 billion ($3.8 billion). Similarly, Kenya, on 4 April 2022, announced that it had spent KES118 billion ($1.08 billion) on fuel subsidies for FY2021- 22. On 14 July 2022, the government authorized the spending of another KES16.67 billion ($152 million; 0.14% of its GDP) to retain current retail fuel prices for another 30 days. Without the cushion, petrol and diesel prices would have jumped to SKES209.70 ($1.91) and KES193.70 ($1.77) per liter, while with the subsidies, the prices were maintained at KES159.20 ($1.45) and KES193.70 ($1.77), respectively. However, Kenya announced its intention to continue gradually realigning its domestic fuel prices to global in FY2022-23, and, in October 2022, the government started gradually withdrawing fuel subsidies. This is in line with the new recommendation (condition) from IMF which requires Kenya to gradually remove subsidy. So as previously announced, in October 2022, the government started gradually withdrawing fuel subsidies. For the first time in a year, Kenya fully withdrew an KES20.5 ($0.19) per liter subsidy on petrol and halved the reliefs on kerosene and diesel to KES26.25 ($0.24) and KES20.82 ($0.19), respectively. As a result, it reduced the fiscal burden of the subsidy from KES14.5 billion ($132.3 million) to KES5 billion ($45.6 million) as the new administration works on withdrawing State-backed discounts on petroleum products, saving KES9.5 billion ($86.6 million). 22 Next, there are 33 measures across 30 economies, 30 which have implemented price control on fuel. For example, Thailand plans to spend close to THB7.5 billion ($234 million; 0.02% of its GDP) per month to maintain the retail price of diesel at THB30 ($0.94) per liter. On 18 July 2022, Panama announced a price freeze on regular gasoline at $3.25. This is expected to cost $200 million (0.31% of its GDP). Similarly, Barbados, on 16 August 2022, announced a price cap on fuel which will be in place until the end of January 2023. Gasoline will be capped at BDS$4.48 ($2.24) per liter and diesel will be capped at BDS$4.03 ($2.02). Fuel subsidies have many interesting examples of extensions. Following are 4 handpicked examples of programs evolution with extensions. The first 2 examples pertain to the evolution of fuel subsidies from France and Guatemala, while the latter 2 illustrate the evolution of fuel price control in Slovenia and Hungary (reduction of coverage) with extension. Extension on fuel subsidy: in France (see figure 16; left panel), on 1 April 2022, the oil giant TotalEnergies announced to offer a discount of EUR0.10 ($0.12) per liter at domestic petrol stations. On 22 July 2022, the company raised the discount at the pump to EUR0.20 ($0.24) per liter between September and November in all its service stations. Following this, it would reduce the subsidy to EUR0.10 per liter for the rest of the year. Around the same time, Guatemala (see figure 16; right panel), on 4 April 2022, introduced a new law to provide a fuel subsidy of Q5 ($0.65) and Q2.5 ($0.32) per gallon on diesel and regular gasoline, respectively, for a duration of 2 months. On 18 May 2022, the government approved the extension of the previous measure until August 2022, and also increased the fuel subsidy from Q2.5 ($0.32) to Q5 ($0.65) for regular gasoline and from Q5 ($0.65) to Q7 ($0.91) for diesel. Figure 16. Evolution of subsidy on fuel price in France (left) and Guatemala (right) $0.25 0.24 0.24 $1.00 0.91 0.91 $0.20 $0.75 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65 FUEL PRICE SUBSIDY FUEL PRICE SUBSIDY $0.15 0.12 0.12 0.12 $0.50 $0.10 0.32 0.32 $0.25 $0.05 $0.00 $0.00 Apr-22 May-22 Jul-22 Aug-22 Oct-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Apr-22 May-22 Jun-22 Jul-22 Aug-22 Diesel Regular gasoline Extension on fuel price control: Slovenia, in March 2022, set the maximum retail price for 95-octane gasoline at EUR1.503 ($1.78) per liter and for diesel at EUR1.541 ($1.82) per liter for a duration of one month. On April 1, price control on fuel price was extended and set at wholesale price which was lower than the previously set price. The wholesale prices were frozen at EUR1.483 ($1.75) per liter of petrol and EUR1.521 ($1.80) per liter of diesel for one month. On May 10, the government again reintroduced a price cap on motor fuels by increasing the maximum retail prices to EUR 1.560 ($1.85) per liter and 23 EUR 1.668 ($1.97) per liter for petrol and diesel, respectively. This measure was in place until early August (Figure 17). Figure 17. Evolution of fuel price cap in Slovenia $1.95 $1.91 $1.91 FUEL PRICE CONTROL $1.91 $1.87 $1.83 $1.80 $1.78 $1.79 $1.75 Apr-22 May-22 Jun-22 Jul-22 Aug-22 While Hungary announced a three-month cap on gasoline and diesel prices at a max of EUR1.30 ($1.54) on 11 November 2021. On 12 February 2022, the same price cap was extended for another three months. In April, the government further extended the same price cap until 1 July 1, 2021. Again, in July the measure was extended for the third time, but the coverage has been narrowed (i.e., reduced) by restricting the price-capped on petrol and diesel to privately-owned vehicles, farm vehicles and taxis, and excludes company-owned cars. Finally, it was extended once again in September and it is set to last from then until the end of the year. Food subsidies Food subsidies include a total of 55 measures across 45 economies which have helped reduce the consumer prices of food either through price control (i.e., by fixing price) or food subsidies (covering part of the food cost) (Table 7). In terms of program parameters: food subsidies are expected to cover 149.09 million individuals 31 and cost $30.73 billion. 32 Next, the average daily benefit size of food subsidy measures tend to be $0.96, which is 36.1% of the daily median income. 33 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 5.6 months. 34 Of the 10 measures with duration information, only 1 measure (10%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 7 months. Table 7. Types of food subsidy measures Category Number of measures Number of economies Food subsidy 22 19 Price control 33 32 Total 55 45 Within food subsidies, price control measures for food represent the largest share. So far, 33 measures have been announced related to price control on food and other essential items. For instance, Hungary’s price cap on staple food products, which started in February 2022, has endured 2 extensions and the program will end in December 2022. The program started with a ban on many staple products, including sugar, wheat flour, chicken breast, pork legs, and sunflower oil, and was set to last until May 2022. In June, the government announced extending this measure until October 2022. On 17 September 2022, the government further extended until the end of the year. Next, On 14 April 2022, Comoros issued an order to set a price floor and ceiling for certain food items, such as sugar, flour, condensed milk, oil, sardines, concentrated tomato, mineral water, beef, and chicken. In the same month, Guinea-Bissau also 24 implemented price controls on 50-kilogram bags of rice, sugar, and wheat flour at CFA17,500 ($31.56), CFA25,000 ($45.08) and CFA23,000 ($41.48), respectively. In July 2022, Panama reached an agreement with food retailers to control the prices of 72 basic food items. And more recently, in October 2022, The Bahamas announced a price control on 38 key staple products that primarily consist of food for a duration of 6 months. The measure ensures price increases of such products will be capped at 15% for wholesalers and 25% for retailers. Price control measures are followed by general food subsidy programs for consumers to ease the pain of rising food prices. A total of 22 measures have been implemented for food subsidies to try and reduce the price consumers are paying for food products. Starting in March 2022, Bangladesh launched a nationwide food subsidy program for cooking oil, lentils, and other staples. Mostly targeted at rural areas, the scheme provided food at reduced prices to 10 million poor people (6.1% of the total population) until the end of Ramadan. In the next month, Gabon announced a subsidy on food items such as flour. In May 2022, in Pakistan, the Utility Stores Corporation has been ordered to provide 10-kilogram bags of flour at a subsidized rate of PKR400 ($2.46) throughout the country. In June 2022, UAE as part of its AED28 billion ($7.6 billion; 2.12% of its GDP) relief package announced a food subsidy program for Emirati families making less than $6,800. Kenya, on 20 July 2022, as part of the 5th stimulus package reduced maize flour prices from KES205 ($1.87) to KES100 ($0.91) in retail stores across the country. Later in the same month, Paraguay also announced price discounts ranging between 15% and 40% on more than 100 products which were part of the basic basket of goods (comprising mainly of food and health products). The measure was set to last until 9 August 2022. And more recently, in October as part of the new budget, Malaysia announced a food subsidies measure costing $434 million for the rice and fishing industries. Fertilizer subsidies The fertilizer/agricultural subsidy category recorded 50 measures across 39 economies to support farmers with agricultural inputs (such as seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural equipment) (Table 8). Almost all the measures relate to subsidizing fertilizers via covering part of the cost, except for one measure from Mali where price control on fertilizer was implemented. In terms of program parameters: fertilizer subsidies are expected to cover reach 2.03 million individuals 35 and cost $34.64 billion. 36 Next, the average daily benefit size of fertilizer subsidy measures tend to be $3.24, which is 20.3% of the daily median income. 37 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 2.5 months. 38 Table 8. Types of fertilizer subsidy measures Category Number of measures Number of economies Fertilizer/agriculture Subsidy 49 39 Price control (fertilizers) 1 1 Total 50 39 Several countries have announced an increase in agriculture subsidies in the annual budget for next year to offset the effects of rising wheat and food prices exacerbated by the Ukraine war. The majority of these measures were passed in Africa (21 measures). For example, Tanzania launched a fertilizer subsidy program for the fiscal year of 2022-23 which will cost the country TZS150 billion ($65.28 million; 0.10% of its GDP), and the government will on average pay TZS52,000 ($22.63) in subsidy for every 50 kg bag of fertilizer. Similarly, Rwanda has also allocated extra funds amounting to RWF36 billion ($36.41 million; 0.33% of its GDP) for the next fiscal year of 2022-23 to assist farmers with relatively affordable fertilizers and seeds. Nigeria’s Yobe State, in August 2022, subsidized fertilizers for the 2022 cropping 25 season and sold them at NGN13,000 ($36.2) per bag after discount. These at the open market were sold at NGN17,000 ($47.4) to N20,000 ($55.7) depending on the location. Previously, on 19 April 2022, Azerbaijan provided subsidies for an amount of AZN21.6 million ($12.71 million; 0.02% of the GDP) to 44,423 farmers (0.44% of the total population) for autumn crops. In May 2022, China pledged $1.5 billion (0.01% of its GDP) in grain subsidies to offset soaring agriculture production costs. It provided a one-off subsidy to support summer harvest and autumn sowing, as plantations during spring faced disruptions due to Covid-19 curbs and the war in Ukraine. In June, Bangladesh announced that it would increase the existing subsidy for fertilizer for the next fiscal year in the new budget, up to BDT16,000 crore ($1.88 billion; 0.45% of its GDP) compared to BDT12,000 crore ($1.1 billion; 0.34% of its GDP) from the previous fiscal year. In July 2022, Ecuador announced a subsidy of 50% on the cost of urea for small and medium agricultural producers effective from July 1, 2022. The government plans to invest $27 million between July and December 2022 to subsidize 50 kg bags of urea having an average price of around $54. More recently, in late September, Uganda announced a new fertilizer subsidy program which will cover 33,082 farmers (0.07% of the population) for a duration of five-month. This measure aims to make fertilizer accessible at an affordable rate. 39 Lastly, in October 2022, the United States announced an agricultural subsidy in the form of loan forgiveness directed at farmers as a part of the Inflation Reduction Act. So far, $800 million has been canceled for some 13,100 individual farmers (0.004% of the US population). This is a unique example of an agricultural subsidy that provides relief directly to farmers in response to the increasing cost of fuel and fertilizer. Fee subsidies Fees subsidies are the most popular form of subsidy with 162 measures across 71 economies. 40 In particular, utility discounts account for almost half the measures (48%; 77 measures) under the fee subsidies category. These are followed by price control, accounting for almost 219% (32 measures). The rest of the responses account for below 10% (see Table 9). In terms of program parameters: fee subsidies are expected to cover to cover 203.12 million individuals 41 and cost $257.66 billion. 42 Next, the average daily benefit size of fee subsidy measures tend to be $7.2, which is 20.3% of the daily median income. 43 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 4.9 months. 44 Of the 41 measures with duration information, 4 measure (10%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 5.5 months, on average. Table 9. Type of fees subsidies Fee subsidies Number of measures Share of measures Utility discounts (e.g., Water, electricity, heating, gas) 77 47.5% Price control (fees) 32 19.8% Green energy subsidies (e.g., EV subsidies) 14 8.6% Transportation 13 8.0% Housing (e.g., rent support) 9 5.6% Mortgages and other loans 6 3.7% Education 5 3.1% Other 4 2.5% 26 Health 2 1.2% Total 162 100% Subsidies on services, including utility discounts (electricity and heating), housing, transportation There are 99 measures under this sub-category relating to a variety of subsidies on services ranging from energy, such as electricity and heating, to housing and transportation services, accounting for 61% of fee subsidies. Starting with utility subsidies, 77 measures across 47 economies 45 were implemented to reduce utility bills (including electricity, water, and heating). Some of these measures (from Ireland, Cape Verde, Tunisia and Norway) vertically expanded the already existing utility support. For example, in March 2022, Ireland doubled the electricity credit payments to households, making it EUR200 ($237). 46 The credit will be automatically applied to domestic electricity customers’ accounts and will appear either as a credit on the bill or as a top-up on the prepay meter. Similarly, Cape Verde, in March 2022, increased the discount on the social tariff for water and electricity from 30 to 50% for the poorest families. Some other programs (from Belgium, Lithuania, and Italy) have horizontally expanded. For example, Belgium, on 2 October 2021, extended the social energy tariff introduced during the pandemic until the end of March 2022. It cost EUR208 million ($246 million; 0.04% of its GDP) and targeted nearly 500 thousand households (10.05% of the population). On March 14, 2022, the government extended the social tariff until 30 September 2022, and the measure benefitted 880 thousand families (16.08% of the population) and is expected to cost EUR600 million ($709.64 million; 0.12% of its GDP) for January- September 2022 (almost double that of 2021). On 18 June 18 2022, the social tariff was further extended until the end of 2022. Similarly, Italy’s Electricity and gas social bonus was announced, on 18 March 2022, and the ISEE (indicator of equivalent economic situation) value for being eligible to apply for the social bonus was set to EUR12,000 ($14,195) per annum for families with four dependent children. On May, 2, 2022, the measure was extended until the end of September 2022. The benefit size 47 ranged between EUR128 ($151) and EUR178 ($211). The estimated cost for the measure during 2022 was EUR102,8 million ($121,6; or 0.01% of its GDP) and will aim to cover more than 5 million households (12,012,962 individuals; 20.2% of the population). On 13 September 2022, the measure was further extended until the end of 2022 and the exclusionary family income threshold was raised to EUR15,000 ($17,743) per annum, thus reaching an additional 600 thousand households (1,441,555 individuals; 2.4% of the population). Very few measures experienced both horizontal and vertical expansions. For example, as part of the Warm Home Discount scheme, the UK plans to provide a rebate of GBP150 ($206) on their energy bills. The scheme will cost GBP475 million ($653.4 million; 0.02% of its GDP) a year and will cover nearly 3 million households (7,04 million individuals; 8.9% of the population). Previously, the rebate was GBP140 ($193) and used to cover 2.2 million households (5,1 million individuals; 6.5% of the population). Next, a set of subsidy measures pertains to transportation 13 measures 48 have either subsidized or provided free transportation services to encourage people to use public transportation over private. Most economies (e.g., Albania, Germany, etc. 49) have subsidized public transportation services. For example, on 14 March 2022, New Zealand announced a cut in public transport fares by 50%. Similarly, in the same month, Albania announced ALL500 million ($4.84 million; 0.03% of its GDP) in allocation to pay for the differences in ticket prices, so that ticket prices for citizens do not change. More recently, in August 2022, Singapore announced to increase in the benefit size of the transport grant for needy children from 27 SGD15 ($11) to SGD$17 ($13) starting from Jan 2023. A few economies (e.g., Andorra, and Comoros) even provided free and special transportation services. Andorra, on 30 April 2022, created a free monthly season ticket for all residents and lowered the price of school transport. Similarly, Comoros granted free transportation to farmers to bring their local agricultural products to Moroni, Mutsamudu and Fomboni. Lastly, there are 9 measures 50 relating to housing subsidies. These pertain to rental subsidies (e.g., Taiwan and UAE), rental advance limits (e.g., Guinea), and creating more flexible criteria for accessing housing aid (e.g., Andorra, Iceland). Taiwan, for example, approved a TWD30 billion ($1.07 billion; 0.14% of its GDP) budget for the housing rent subsidy program for the fiscal year 2022, to expand horizontally (i.e., increase coverage) as well as vertically (i.e., increase the amount of rent subsidies). Next, Guinea has set a limit of rental advances to three months in order to protect the interest of tenants. Andorra, on 30 April 2022, created more flexible housing aid accessing criteria, where applicants can now request housing aid after 3 years of residence, as opposed to the previously existing 5-year requirement. In June 2022, Andorra also increased the income threshold eligible for aid from 1.2 to 1.3 times the personal or family Economic Threshold of Social Cohesion (LECS). Price control measures There are 32 price control measures 51 implemented on a variety of items: mostly 52 on utilities (such as electricity, water and gas), and a few on housing rent increase (e.g., Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, etc. 53) and transportation (Portugal). For example, on 28 April 2022, Senegal announced that it will continue to freeze the prices of hydrocarbons and electricity. Similarly, Uruguay, on 17 May 2022, announced a price freeze on propane tank gas. Concerning price caps on rent, France, for instance, announced on 7 July 2022, a 3.5% cap on rental increase. Similarly, Spain, in March 2022, announced a 3-month price cap on rental increase for housing at 2%. In June 2022, this measure was extended until the end of December 2022 and is expected to cover 875,000 renters (8% of the population). A final example relates to price caps on public transportation. Portugal, in September 2022, announced to freeze the prices of public transport under the “Families First” plan. This would cost the government about EUR66 million ($78 million; 0.03% of its GDP). Miscellaneous policies: energy saving, rationing & stockpiling of goods; childcare fee reduction. There are 18 miscellaneous policies, of which 1454 (78%) relate to energy efficiency and the remaining 4 55 concern rationing of goods and childcare fee reduction. To promote energy saving, economies mostly subsidized the installation of solar panels, and energy- efficient heating and cooling systems, among other electrical appliances (10 out of 14 measures; 56 71%). A few economies even subsidize electric vehicles (EVs). For example, Thailand provides subsidies for the purchase of passenger Electric Vehicle units depending on battery capacity. Passenger cars with 10 to 30 kWh battery capacity will receive a 70,000-baht ($2,111) subsidy and passenger A cars with over 30 kWh battery capacity will receive a 150,000-baht ($4,523) subsidy. Next, Cyprus increased grants up to 50% for households that install thermal insulation and solar panels on their roofs, as part of a EUR20 million ($21.39 million; 0.08% of its GDP) scheme to promote energy efficiency. Similarly, Albania, in October 2022, launched subsidies to help households install solar panels to heat water, thus helping keep energy costs low for lower-income families. The government plans to cover 70% of the cost for 2,000 families (6,599 individuals; 0.2% of the population) to equip their homes with solar thermal connectors. 28 Another way in which governments are ensuring availability of fuel is by rationing (e.g., Sri Lanka). There is only 1 such measure. For example, in mid-April Sri Lanka’s state-owned petroleum corporation implemented fuel rationing for vehicles, 57 which was later scrapped and re-introduced again on 5 May 2022, as the crisis continued. Finally, governments (e.g., Canada, Israel, and the Netherlands) have allotted subsidies for childcare. There are 3 such measures. Canada, on 16 June 16, 2022, announced that the childcare fees in all 13 provinces will be reduced by 50%. Similarly, Israel, in February, as part of its cost-of-living crisis package of 4.4 billion Shekels ($1.37 billion) announced that middle-class working families will benefit from afternoon childcare subsidies. It would be extended to about 60,000 additional children (0.7% of the population) in broader socioeconomic categories and is expected to cost NIS150 million ($46,4 million; 0.01% of its GDP). Human capital-related services (education and health) There are 7 measures – one each from Canada, Finland, Ireland, Panama, Spain, Togo, and United Arab Emirates – subsidizing education and health. Starting with 2 health-related measures, Canada, on 16 June 2022, as part of the Affordability Plan package, included dental care coverage for Canadians earning less than CAD90,000 ($71,777) a year. Similarly, Panama, on 11 August 2022, announced to lower prices on medicine and other pharmaceutical products for consumers by 30%. This measure is effective since 15 August 2022, for a duration of 6 months. Next, come education subsidies. There are 5 measures subsidizing fees and back-to-school stationery subsidies. UAE, on 4 July 2022, as part of the large package targeting inflation announced an education subsidy of AED3,200 ($871) per month to Emirati families with income below AED25,000 ($6,807) per month. This is designed to encourage children to enroll in a university. Similarly, Togo, on 19 September 2022, announced subsidies for purchasing school stationaries (e.g., writing and reading manuals) to parents with primary school children, equivalent to CFA2.5 billion ($4,5 million). Mortgages and other loans There are 6 measures across Bulgaria, Canada, Poland, Spain, Togo, and the UK, which relate to loans and other financial obligations. For example, Canada, in April, adapted its Advance Payments Program to support farmers ahead of planting season by allowing them to access 100% of their 2022 cash advances and waiving off their timed instalments. For the same program, more recently (in June), Canada also increased the interest-free limit for advances up to CAD250,000 ($199,382), from CAD100,000 ($79,753), for the years 2022 and 2023. In Bulgaria, the interest rate was reduced on overdue payments to the state, municipalities, utilities and others by up to 8%. Togo also implemented a similar measure, while Poland postponed the mortgage loan repayments for a duration of 8 months. Finally, the UK, in October 2022, increased the maintenance loan amounts for students by 2.3% for the academic year 2022- 23. As mention before, in total, fee subsidies are expected to cover 136.8 million individuals and cost $257,6 billion. These measures have been funded in several ways. For example, Estonia partially sourced energy subsidies for the poor by selling CO2 emission credits. Norway, in September 2022, allocated additional funds worth of almost EUR1 billion ($1,2 billion; 0,2% of its GDP) in revenues from state-owned power 29 grid firm Statnett to extend its electricity subsidy scheme to shield consumers from higher energy bills. Similarly, in Guatemala funds for the electricity subsidy program comes partially from the government and the other half from the energy company. Next, Peru used tax money paid by middle- and upper- income categories to fund the additional energy subsidies for poor households (on top of the existing program). Lastly, in Poland, the “Clean Air” program’s expenditure of PLN103 billion ($26,7 billion; 4% of its GDP) is financed from a combination of sources: emission fees, the thermo-modernization fund, own resources of the Provincial Funds for Environmental Protection and Water Management, thermo-modernization relief and EU funds. 4. Social assistance Social assistance includes 291 measures across 98 economies (Table 10), representing 29% out of all measures. Among social assistance measures, cash transfers claim the largest share (78%; 227 measures), followed by in-kind measures (16%; 46 measures). The rest of the social assistance measures account for close to 6%, with school feeding, public works and social pensions counting 6 measures each. Moving to program parameters: social assistance measures plan to reach 833.5 million 58 individuals and cost $225.52 billion. 59 Next, the average daily benefit size of social assistance measures tend to be $6.2, which is 24% of the daily median income. 60 And, on average, these social assistane measures have a duration of 4.2 months. 61 Of the 155 social assistance with duration information, 4 measures (3%) recorded extension in initial program duration of 2 months, on average. Table 10. Type of social assistance measures Number of measures Number of (% of total social economies assistance) Cash transfers 227 (78%) 87 Unconditional cash transfers 216 82 Conditional cash transfers 11 10 Social pensions (non-contributory) 6 (2%) 5 Old-age social pensions 3 3 Disability pensions 3 3 In-kind transfers 46 (16%) 34 Food vouchers (quantity or value-based) 5 5 In-kind food distribution 13 10 Health kits and other in-kind transfers 13 10 Other in-kind vouchers (quantity or value-based) 15 13 School feeding 6 (2%) 5 School meals (on-site school feeding) 6 5 Take-home rations 0 0 Public works 6 (2%) 6 Cash for work 6 6 Cash for services 0 0 Food for work 0 0 Total 291 98 30 Cash transfers Cash transfer remain the predominant social assistance instrument, counting 227 measures in total. In terms of program parameters: cash transfer are expected to cover to cover 725.41 million individuals 62 and cost $211.31 billion.63 Next, the average daily benefit size of cash measures tend to be $6.61, which is 25.3% of the daily median income. 64 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 4 months.65 Of the 130 measures with duration information, 4 measure (3.1%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 2 months, on average. A high number of new cash transfer programs have been implemented, which are directed to multiple groups of beneficiaries such as workers, students, children/families with children, the elderly, lower- income households and other vulnerable groups (see Table 11). In particular, unconditional cash transfers targeted at formal and informal sector workers were provided to over 112 million individuals. 66 For example, in Indonesia, the government would provide cash transfers to 16 million workers (6% of the population) who make less than IDR3.5 million ($245) per month, with a total budget of IDR9.6 trillion ($1.7671 million; 0.06% of its GDP). In Italy, the government approved in September a one-time bonus of EUR150 ($176) for those with incomes below EUR20,000 ($23,658) gross annually, including pensioners, employed, self-employed and seasonal workers covering 22 million people (34% of the population). Some other cash transfers are provided to support health expenses and to help families with children (as child allowances or for education purposes). In the Netherlands, for instance, a temporary additional healthcare allowance of EUR412 ($487) will be introduced in 2023, for a cost of EUR2.1 billion ($2.5 billion; 0.24% of its GDP). In Japan, a $270 billion economic package (0.05% of its GDP) was approved in October which will provide around $700 to families raising young children. Bermuda in July 2022, announced a $15 million relief package (0.21% of its GDP) that includes a one-off cash transfer of $150 per child to parents/guardians of children enrolled in public school. This is to help with the added cost of going back to school. Similarly, in Togo and Belarus, parents of children in school will receive support for the purchase of schooling materials. Next, transfers were also provided to the elderly, disabled and other vulnerable groups (e.g., refugees). As approved in September, pensioners in Portugal will receive a lump-sum amounting to half a month’s pension, while in Kosovo and Slovakia pensioners are provided with a one-off payment of EUR100 ($118). In Slovakia, coverage will reach about 102,000 people (2% of the population), costing the state EUR10.2 million ($12 million; 0.01% of its GDP). Similarly, Ireland, in September 2022, announced to provide a one-off transfer to persons with disability to offset the additional costs faced by them. The benefit size of EUR500 ($591) would be provided in the month of November to those eligible for Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and the Blind Pension. Finally, in Slovakia a one-off allowance of EUR100 ($118) will be provided to households in need to cover increased housing costs. Table 11. Programs by target group and coverage* Target group Total # of Of which, Coverage # of CTs with CTs # of CCTs (individuals coverage info in millions) Children (poor children; families with children) 36 1 12.91 10 Students (education; training) 21 3 1.55 7 Low-income families 52 2 335.35 29 31 Workers (formal & informal) 33 161.70 13 Vulnerable groups (elderly, disabled, refugees, 43 1 108.15 24 drought-affected, etc.) Beneficiaries of other SA programs 31 112.44 15 Adaptation of existing programs 84 7 191.53 32 Programs w/ income requirement < certain 21 100.58 11 income Misc. (transfers source of heating used at home; 19 3 159.72 4 quasi-universal; geographic targeting; EV transfers) *Note: The table is generated by the author based on 227 CT programs from Version 4 of the Price shock tracker (Gentilini et al., 2022). The coverage and number of cash transfers are not exclusive across target categories implying that certain programs were categorized under more than one target group. Therefore, the sum of programs from each target group under column 2 (i.e., Total # of CTs) does not add up to 227. Similarly, the coverage figure total (in column 4) does not add up to 725.4 million individuals. While representing a slimmer fraction (4%) out of all cash transfer measures, conditional cash transfers are also being used for a variety of purposes, ranging from support towards the installation of renewable and saving materials (e.g., Cyprus, Sweden) to programs aimed at providing food and nutrition assistance (e.g., Cameroon, Dominican Republic). Adaptations of existing programs There are 88 cash transfer programs across 47 countries that are adaptations of existing measures implemented prior to the crisis. Amongst these, 59% are vertical expansions (52 measures), 16% are horizontal scale-ups (14 measures), and 14% of programs are both horizontal and vertical extensions (12 measures). The remainder 11% (10 programs) have either undergone an administration simplification, advancement of payments, or have been solely extended in time. The complete program list can be found in Annex 9. A great number of measures aim to support families with children, by increasing the size of the benefits, often with extra amounts dedicated to special categories of families. In Albania, the government announced in September a 10% increase in family benefits, with an extra boost for female-headed households with two or more children. In Finland, the monthly single parent allowance was increased by EUR5 ($5.91) from EUR63.30 ($74.88) to EUR68.30 ($80.79) starting January 2023. In the Netherlands, the child allowance will amount in 2023 to EUR1,653 ($1,955) for the first child, and EUR1,532 ($1,812) for each additional child, up from EUR1,220 ($1,443) and about EUR1,000 ($1,182), respectively in 2022. In addition, single parents may qualify for an additional EUR3,848 ($4,551) subsidy, up from EUR 3,285 ($3,885). Other programs provide housing support and aid towards heating costs. Croatia, for instance, announced in September that beneficiaries of the guaranteed minimum benefit will be provided with the cost of housing, communal fees, heating and water services, until 31 March 2023. In the Czech Republic, eligibility rules for housing support were simplified and the aid will complement the subsidized energy tariff over the 2022-2023 heating season. This will apply if housing costs (rent, electricity, gas, water, etc.) are higher than 30% of individuals’ net income, with an average transfer amount of CZK 4,100 ($189) per month. 32 Other projects aim to provide additional resources to strengthen shock-responsive safety nets, in most cases with the financing support of international organizations. In Somalia, for instance, additional funding of SDR106.40 million ($143 million; 2.1% of its GDP) was approved in June for a vertical and horizontal scale-up of the Baxnaano program. The emergency cash transfers will reach about 375,000 households (2.25 million; 14.2% of the population), compared to 200,000 beneficiary households (1.2 million individuals; 8% of the population) in the parent project. A benefit size of $60 per month for 6 months will be provided as shock-responsive top-ups to existing beneficiaries and as emergency cash transfers to non-Baxnaano households. In Zambia, with the support of the World Bank, the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) was scaled up from 974,000 beneficiaries (5.3% of the population) to almost 1,026,000 (5.6% of the population). The average household will receive ZMW400 ($24) bi-monthly, amount that was already increased back in 2021 in light of rising inflation. Finally, some of these programs are also adaptations of measures introduced in response to the Covid pandemic. As an example, coverage of the SASSA Social Relief of Distress Grant introduced by the Government of South Africa was increased by raising the income qualifying thresholds from ZAR350 ($23.68) to R624 ($42.22). The transfer consists of a grant of ZAR350 ($23.68) per month for 6 months to be paid to individuals who are currently unemployed, do not receive any form of income, social grant or UIF payment, and include both refugees and asylum seeker permit holders. Similarly, in Liberia, the government is implementing, between February 2022 and June 2023, the Social Cash Transfer Program (SCT) in Bomi and Maryland counties, under the Liberia Social Safety Nets Project, which was marked as COVID-19 response in late 2020, for a cost of $9.20 million (0.26% of its GDP). The program has provided income support, via mobile money, to almost 25,000 rural and urban households, surpassing its end target. Evolution of benefit size and coverage Out of 32 cash transfer programs across 24 economies, most (18 measures) experienced a “vertical-only” scale-up, that is, an increase in the transfer size provided to beneficiaries; 9 measures registered a “horizontal and vertical” expansion, or an increase in both the transfer size and coverage; while only 5 measures recorded a “horizontal-only” expansion or an increase in coverage. In October, Malta announced, as part of the Budget 2023, a vertical increase of the allowance up to EUR4,500 ($5,323) for parents who stopped working to take care of their adult children with severe disabilities, paid every three months in 2023. The measure, set up in 2021, had already been increased from EUR300 ($355) to EUR500 ($591) in 2022. Earlier in August, Peru made available one-off cash transfers to provide additional funds to beneficiaries of three different existing programs, mainly, Juntos, Pensión 65 and Contigo. The transfer size will be in the amounts of PEN200 ($52), PEN250 ($64) and PEN300 ($77), respectively. In June, Singapore announced that it is committing SGD1.5 billion ($1.1 billion; 0.003% of its GDP) to provide fuel subsidies as inflation relief. As part of the measure, about 1.5 million recipients (26% of the population) will receive a special payment of up to SGD300 ($223), on top of the regular GSTV cash handouts of 2022. Some programs were only expanded horizontally, to increase the coverage of beneficiaries, as in Cape Verde and Italy. In August, Italy announced an expansion of the EUR200 one-off bonus ($237) to an additional 585,179 recipients (1% of the population), including workers, doctoral students, research assignees and other categories of beneficiaries that were not previously covered by the flag-measure. An example of a vertical and horizontal program scale-up comes from the conditional cash transfer nutrition and food component Alimentate in the Dominican Republic, which is a component of the social assistance strategy and program (SUPERATE). 33 The government plans to incorporate 300,000 new households (1,043,380 million individuals; 10% of the population) and to increase the size of the transfer to RD$1650 ($29) per month per household, up from RD$825 ($14). In-kind transfers There are 46 in-kind measures across 34 economies. These measures can be classified into two broad categories: (i) food-related measures (including both in-kind and voucher modalities); and (ii) non-food- related measures (also both in-kind and vouchers). The former category identifies 18 measures (39%) while the latter consists of 28 measures (60%). In terms of program parameters: in-kind measures are expected to cover to cover 160.21 million individuals 67 and cost $13.05 billion.68 Next, the average daily benefit size of in-kind measures tend to be $2.14, which is 9.3% of the daily median income. 69 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 4.5 months. 70 Food-related measures Amongst the 18 measures reported across 16 economies, 13 measures relate to in-kind food transfers. Many of these measures are temporary responses undertaken by the government, often with the support of international agencies. Amongst newly identified measures, the government of Haiti undertook a temporary emergency social assistance program that included the distribution of hot meals to needy communities for a total of 100,000 food kits per month. In August, São Tomé and Principe delivered the first of three-month WFP-funded emergency food assistance distribution to 1,500 households (6,000 individuals; 3% of the population). The food baskets included rice, beans, pasta, oil, sugar and salt, and fishing materials, at an estimated $258,500. The emergency assistance ended in October 2022. In Djibouti, as part of a World Bank grant worth $30 million, approximately 10,000 rural households (57,467 beneficiaries; 6% of the population) will be supported through the delivery of food transfers to respond to current emergency needs for consumption. Support will be provided for an estimated maximum duration of 24 months and paid quarterly, with a benefit level fixed at the current safety net amount equivalent to $73 for in-kind transfers. There are then 5 measures that pertain to food vouchers. A recent example comes from Portugal where, in October, meal allowances were announced to increase from EUR4.77 ($5.64) per day to EUR5.20 ($6.15). Non-food-related measures Of the 26 measures identified across 23 economies, 13 relate to multiple types of in-kind transfers. For instance, in Cameroon, the African Development Fund approved a loan of EUR62.99 million ($74.51 million) to increase the production of major crops by making available a variety of seeds to producers and providing agricultural inputs. Similarly, the government of Tajikistan, with the support of the African Development Bank, provided climate-adaptive agricultural inputs, including seeds and fertilizer, to poor and vulnerable farmers in September–October 2022 at an estimated cost of $70 million. Vouchers count 15 measures in total. For instance, the government of Haiti provided school education vouchers to be distributed to 25,000 students (0.2% of the population), while France augmented in October the number of beneficiaries of the one-off EUR100 ($118) energy voucher. 34 Social pensions There are 6 measures under this category identified across 5 economies. In terms of program parameters: non-contributory social pensions are expected to cover to cover 0.13 million individuals 71 and cost $13.71 million. 72 Next, the average daily benefit size of non-contributory social pensions tend to be $1.58, which is 9% of the daily median income. 73 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 2.0 months. 74 As part of its 2023 budget, Malta announced that the elderly who have reached retirement age but who do not qualify for pensions will receive a EUR50 ($59) increase in their bonus every year. Around 15,000 people (3% of the total population) will benefit from the measure with a total expenditure of almost EUR800,000 ($946,323; 0.006% of its GDP). In Slovakia, the government announced a one-off contribution of EUR100 ($118) for seniors who have not become entitled to a pension. This is a group of approximately 102,000 people (2% of its population) for whom this aid amounts to EUR10.2 million ($12.06; 0.01% of its GDP). An example of indexation comes from Albania where the government also announced in September a 7.5% indexation to inflation increase in disability payments. Public works Six public work programs have been recorded across 6 countries. In terms of program parameters: public works program are expected to cover to cover 2.36 million individuals 75 and cost $1.15 billion. 76 Next, the average daily benefit size of public works program tend to be $0.23, which is 16.7% of the daily median income. 77 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 5.8 months. 78 Examples of public works include, for instance, in China, the government will invest CNY6.6 billion ($1.02 billion; less than 1% of its GDP) in 2022 to support more than 1,800 cash-for-work projects which will affect more than 130,000 people (0.5% of the population). In Cameroon, the labor-intensive public works (LIPW) subcomponent of the Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project, approved by the World Bank and financed by IDA, will support 33,400 able-bodied laborers (0.1% of the population) which cover about 167,000 household members, of whom 60% are women. School feeding Under this category, 6 school feeding programs have been identified across 5 countries.6 In terms of program parameters: school feeding measures are expected to cover to cover 0.13 million individuals.79 And, on average, such measures have a duration of 13 months. 80 In Cape Verde, for instance, under a Limited Emergency Operation, WFP will purchase and transport food for school meals to 90,000 children (16% of the population), using existing procurement platforms to cost-effectively source the food; while in Cameroon, the sub-component of the Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis will finance a home-grown school feeding (HGSF). Through this activity, the scale-up of HGSF will be supported to benefit 50 schools and 35,000 children (0.1% of the population). 5. Social insurance Social insurance recorded a total of 55 measures across 37 economies81 (Table 12), representing 5% of all overall measures. Such measures plan to reach 56.93 million82 individuals and cost $22.23 billion.83 Next, the average daily benefit size of social insurance measures tend to be $14.0, which is 47% of the daily median income. 84 And, on average, these social insurance measures have a duration of 2.9 months.85 35 Table 12. Type of social insurance measures Category Number of Number of measures economies Pensions 45 (82%) 37 Old age pensions 43 34 Disability pensions 1 11 Survivor pensions 1 1 Social security contributions 8 (15%) 6 Individual retirement accounts and social contributions for individuals 7 5 Paid leave - - Sickness and population at risk - - Maternity/Paternity - - Health insurance - - Health insurance - - Unemployment insurance 2 (3%) 2 Out-of-work income support 2 2 Total 55 37 Pensions The majority of these interventions (82% or 45 measures) pertain to pension increases. Some of these increases are undertaken through indexation to inflation (e.g. Albania, France), GDP growth (e.g. Bosnia and Herzegovina), or both income and inflation (e.g. North Macedonia) Since the last version of the tracker, 28 new measures were added in the social insurance category. For instance, Argentina introduced a vertical expansion to the current pension plan which will see a 15.53% increase for all pensioners reaching roughly 16 million people. Togo introduced a 10% increase in the index value of pensions for public sector pensioners and an additional 5% increase for both public and private sector pensioners. In Angola, a 10% pension increase in pensions was introduced with the minimum pension being fixed at 48,272 Kwanzas ($97) and the maximum fixed at 607,874 ($1,222). Many of the new measures are a result of annual budgets that were introduced in several countries this fall. For example, in Greece, the 2023 budget draft includes raising main pensions by 6% with an estimated cost of EUR600 million ($709 million or 0.3% of its GDP) for 1.5 million pensioners (14% of the population). On 22 September 2022, Estonia announced that next year, with the extraordinary pension increase and indexation, pensions should rise by more than EUR100 ($118), and that the average pension will be exempt from income tax. Similarly, on 9 November 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture in Poland said that from March 2023 farmer pensions will receive an indexation comparable to that from Social Insurance Institution (ZUS); while in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there will be an extraordinary indexation of pensions which will be capped at the percentage of nominal GDP increase in the previous year. This will be possible once a year if the increase in nominal GDP in the previous year is higher than 3%, and if the government budget in the previous year did not accumulate a deficit. Finally, in North Macedonia, the supplementary budget also envisages funds for the increase of pensions in line with the new pension calculation methodology. From February 2022, indexation is carried twice a year, consisting of a 50 percent CPI and 50 percent average wages increase. 36 Social security contribution Next, 8 measures pertain to social security contribution. Since the last version of the tracker, 2 new measures have been introduced in this category. One measure from Belgium postpones the deadline for the new payment of employers’ social security contributions and tax. Another example is from Greece where the budget draft of 2023 prolongs the three-percentage point reduction to insurance contributions for private sector employees. Social security contributions waivers come from France, Iceland, Italy, and United Kingdom. Some interesting examples included a partial exemption to social security contributions payable by employers in Italy for a period from 1 July to 31 December 2022. Similarly, other examples came from the UK where 70% of National Insurance Contributions (NICs) payers will pay fewer NICs while higher-income households will contribute the most; and from France, where self-employed will benefit from a permanent reduction in their contributions, generating a gain of EUR550 ($647) per year at the level of the minimum wage. Unemployment insurance Only 2 measures, from Belgium and the UAE, relate to unemployment insurance. For example, the UAE, on 4 July 2022, announced a job seeker allowance of AED5,000 ($1,361) per month to Emirati families whose household income is up to AED25,000 per month ($6,807). The allowance is provided for a period of six months to unemployed individuals looking for a job. 6. Active labor market and economic inclusion programs There have been 47 labor market measures implemented across 34 economies, 86 and they account for 5% of overall measures. There have been 24 new measures introduced in this category since the last version of this tracker. These measures plan to reach 3.99 million 87 individuals and cost $8.08 billion. 88 Next, the average daily benefit size of labor market measures tend to be $42.0, which is 103% of the daily median income. 89 And, on average, these labor market measures have a duration of 2 months.90 Table 13. Types of labor market measures Category Number of Number of measures economies Training & intermediation 2 2 Labor market services including intermediation (PES) - - Training (vocational, life skills, cash for training, others) 2 2 Wage subsidies 5 5 Wage subsidy with reduced work time 1 1 Wage subsidy without reduced work time 3 3 Subsidies for job creation that are targeted on newly created jobs - - Labor regulatory adjustment and enforcement 2 2 Wage increase 38 28 Minimum wage increase 25 21 Public sector wage increase 8 7 Total 47 34 Wage increases The majority of the measures (38 measures; 81%) pertain to wage increases implemented across 28 economies, 91 of which 25 measures relate to minimum wage increase and 13 measures relate to public sector wage increase. 37 First, minimum wage increase measures were implemented across 22 economies. For example, on 26 April 2022, Benin announced its first wage increase since 2011. Wages will see an increase of 30% from January 2023 which will rise from XOF40,000 ($72) to XOF52,000 ($94) with guaranteed health insurance from employers. In Turkey, the minimum wage increase saw a rise of 30% from 1 July 2022. The monthly net minimum wage has increased from TRY4,253.40 ($486) to TRY5,500.35 ($621) and the monthly gross minimum wage has increased from TRY5,004.00 ($565) to TRY7,603.43 ($859). Though this measure will be coming to an end by 31 December 2022, it will be followed by a 50% hike in the minimum wage from next year. On 13 September 2022, Thailand announced a minimum wage increase of 5% to help mitigate the impact of high energy prices and living costs. It is the first increase in more than two years. Similarly, in October, Portugal announced to increase the national minimum wage from the current EUR705 ($834) to EUR760 ($899) in January 2023. In addition, 8 new measures in 7 economies 92 have implemented wage increases that only affect public sector employees. Such measures came from countries such as Estonia, Albania, and Portugal. On 22 September 2022, Estonia announced that teachers’ salaries will see an increase of 23%, resulting in a jump from a minimum salary of EUR1,412 ($1,670) to EUR1,749 ($2,069). Social workers, police officers, and rescue workers will also see a wage increase in the Baltic nation. In October, Andorra arrived at a wage increase agreement of 5% between unions and employers for next year. Previously, in North Macedonia, there was a 15% increase in wages for all staff working in kindergarten, primary, and secondary school as announced on 11 July 2022. Similarly, Sri Lanka, on 2 January 2022, increased civil servants’ salaries by LKR5,000 ($26.94) per month to cope with the increase in the cost of living. Wage subsidies There are 5 wage subsidy measures implemented across Kosovo, France, Hong Kong, Macao and Malaysia. Of which, 4 pertain to wage subsidy without reduced work time and 1 measure relates to wage subsidy with reduced work time (e.g., France). In September, Kosovo introduced a measure to subsidize 50% of the wage increase per worker for the first 3 months amounting to EUR100 ($118) per worker. A single payment has been provided in April. Hong Kong, for example, in March 2022, announced to support eligible employers by providing subsidies of HKD8,000 ($1,029.17) for each full-time employee it employs who earns below HKD30,000 ($3,859.39) per month. As of August 2022, the government granted subsidies for 350,000 applicants (4.68% of the population), exceeding its original estimate of 300,000 beneficiaries (4.01% of the population), and the measure is expected to cost HKD3.5 billion (450.26 million; 0.12% of its GDP). To provide another example, Malaysia announced MYR20.92 billion ($5.05 billion; 1.36% of its GDP) in wage subsidy to 357,895 employers to help retain employment for 2.96 million local workers (8.96% of the population). Next, an example of a wage subsidy with reduced work time comes from France, where the long-term partial activity scheme (APLD) has been extended to protect employment. Training & intermediation There are 2 measures related to training and intermediation. One from Comoros and another from Tajakistan. In Comoros, AfDB’s grant to increase food production and enhance the resilience of its food system included training to 10,780 producers (1.2 % of it’s the population) in the production, processing and conservation of maize, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Further, 3,220 poultry farmers (0.4% of thepopulation) will be trained in breeding techniques and poultry management. Next, Tajakistan, with the help of ADB’s grant, aims to support employment for returning migrants due to Ukraine crisis, 38 inaddition to other components such as expanding the social assistance coverage. To support business and employment, returning migrants will obtain vocational training for reskilling. 7. Trade measures 93 There are 63 export/import restrictions and easing measures implemented across 46 economies 94 (Table 14). Of these, 39 economies 95 have implemented 53 export/import restriction measures to ensure the domestic availability of food/fertilizer. At the same time, when looking at the global shortage, at least 10 economies 96 have started easing 97 their restrictions. Moving to program parameters: trade measures, on average, have a duration of 6.4 months. 98 Of the 25 measures with duration information, 6 measure (24%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 3.3 months, on average. Table 14. Types of trade measures Trade-related measures Number of Number of measures economies Import/export restriction 53 (84%) 39 Import/export easing 10 (16 %) 10 Total 63 46 Export/import restrictions Governments are restricting the export of food (grains, spices, cooking oil, fruits and vegetables, frozen meat, etc.), live cattle and animal feed, and fertilizer and its ingredients (e.g., Urea). The majority (92% or 49 measures out of 53 measures) of trade measures across 37 economies 99 relate to restrictions on the export of food items. Food export restrictions can be further classified as bans (59%; 29 measures), license or inspection requirements (22%; 11 measures), quotas (13%; 7 measures) and increases in export tax (4%; 2 measures). Amongst the newly recorded measures, Mexico announced on 3 October, a new package aimed at reducing the burden of inflation for consumers (Acuerdo de Apertura contra la Inflación y la Carestía (Apecic)). The package places an export ban on white corn, beans, sardines, and aluminum and steel scrap metal, and it is set to last until the end of February 2023. In addition, back in December 2021, the government of Mali announced a ban on exports of cereals, including rice, maize, millet and sorghum, until further notice. India, on the other hand, represents an interesting case where the export restriction has taken different forms through time. On 13 May 2022, the country announced a ban on the export of wheat. In the following week, on 24 May 2022, it imposed export restrictions in the form of a quota on the export of sugar (raw, refined and white sugar) by setting a cap of 10 million tons.11 On 7 July 2022, India adjusted the export policy for wheat flour by requiring traders to secure permission before exporting the commodity; subsequently, on 25 August 2022, the government increased the restriction by imposing a ban on wheat flour, maida, and semolina. Governments have also restricted the export of livestock (e.g., cattle, chickens, etc.) and their feed (4 measures 100). For example, Kazakhstan and Malaysia banned the export of cattle and chicken, respectively, while, the Kyrgyz Republic and Lebanon have banned the export of farm animal feeds. 39 Finally, a few other economies (3 measures 101) have imposed restrictions on the export of fertilizers and their ingredients. Such restrictions can be classified as bans (e.g., Kyrgyz Republic), restrictions in the form of inspection requirements (e.g., China), and increases in export taxes (e.g., Vietnam). Import/export easing There are 10 trade easing measures recorded. These consist in a gradual shift in stringency which can go from the most stringent export/import restrictions (i.e., ban) to relatively less stringent restrictions102 measures (licensing requirements and quota) to complete removal of the restriction. All the export/import easing measures were on food, except for South Korea (which removed the export restriction on urea) and Kenya (raw materials for animal feeds). Examples of a gradual reduction in the stringency of export restrictions are reflected both in the replacement of an existing ban with a quota or with the full removal of the restriction. For instance, Kazakhstan, on 22 February 2022, lifted the ban on the export of potatoes and carrots that was in effect from January 22, 2022, and replaced it with quotas on marketable and seed potatoes in the amount of 144,500 tons and 57,500 tons, respectively. The measure was active for 3 months until 1 May 2022. On the other hand, Iraq, on 10 March 2022, suspended the import restriction on certain goods, including food items, consumables, and medicines, which was imposed on 2 November 2021, and required special approval before importing. This measure as well ended on 8 June 2022. 8. Tax measures Tax measures are the third most extensively used intervention – after subsidies and social assistance – with 212 measures across 87 economies. 103 In response to the cost-of-living crisis, the majority (75%) of the tax responses pertain to indirect taxes and the remaining relate to direct taxes (see Table 15). These measures relate to some forms of adaptation, such as exemption of tax, reduction of tax, tax rebate, increase in the base/bar for tax-free allowance (i.e., increase in the tax exemption limit), deferral of payment, and suspension of annual indexation. Moving to program parameters: tax measures plan to reach 175.14 million 104 individuals and cost $72.61 billion.105 Next, the average daily benefit size of tax measures tend to be $5.9, which is 15% of the daily median income. 106 And, on average, these tax measures have a duration of 5.4 months. 107 Of the 74 tax measures with duration information, 11 measures (7%) recorded extension in initial program duration of 7.4 months, on average. Table 15. Type of tax measures Tax measures Number of measures Countries Indirect taxes 161 (75%) 81 Direct taxes 51 (25%) 24 Total 212 87 Direct taxes About 51 measures from 23 economies 108 relate to direct taxes. About 47 measures (92% ) within direct taxes relate to income taxes. While the rest consist of two property tax measures (from UK 109 and US), and two road taxes (from the Czech Republic and Mexico). Countries implemented direct taxes in three ways: 40  Raise base tax-free allowance. 11 measures across 9 economies 110 have raised the tax-free allowance (i.e., raised the minimum per annum salary from which the income tax will apply; e.g., Lithuania, Germany) and/or raised the level from which the top income tax rate will apply (e.g., Germany). Amongst newly recorded measures, on 24 October 2022, Malta announced, as part of the budget, that the pension income tax exemption threshold is raised to EUR14,968 ($17,706) so that pension income remains exempt from tax. 111 Similarly, in October 2022, Portugal increased the income tax brackets to the benefit of about 4 million people (39% of the population) and by a price tag of half a billion ($591 million; 0.24% of its GDP). Lithuania also raised the non-taxable income threshold by EUR80 ($94.62), making it EUR540 ($638.68). This increased the income/earnings of people with minimum monthly wages by EUR16 ($18.92). This measure is anticipated to cost EUR103 million ($121.82 million; 0.12% of its GDP). Similarly, in August 2022, Germany raised the basic non-taxable exemption as well as the level from which the maximum income tax rate of 42% would apply.  Tax rebate. 24 measures are being implemented across 12 economies (see box 3). 112 For example, on 3 February 2022, the UK introduced a GBP150 ($206.30) council tax 113 rebate starting from 1 April 2022. To provide another example, on 26 March 2022, USA's Georgia state announced tax refunds between $250 and $375 to Georgians who filed taxes for the years 2020 and 2021. Single filers receive $250, single filers who are heads of households receive $375, and married couples filing jointly will receive up to $500. Similarly, on 24 October 2022, Malta announced as part of its budget that parents who send their children to sports, art or cultural activities will benefit from a tax rebate of EUR300 ($354.8), increasing from the current EUR100 ($118.3). On top of it, Malta provides a tax credit of EUR200 ($236.6) per annum for each disabled child. On 15 July 2022, Bermuda announced a $15 million (0.21% of its GDP) relief package that includes a one- off cash transfer in the form of a payroll tax rebate for workers making less than $96,000 a year (75% of Bermuda’s workforce). The benefit size varies between $100 to $250 depending on their income. 114 As of September 2022, Finland will implement a fixed-term tax credit for electricity, alongside a fixed-term financial support for electricity that will be available to households who cannot make full use of the tax credit. The fixed-term tax credit for electricity will be in force for four months, and it will be prepared in such a way that its estimated impact on tax revenue is EUR300 million ($354.8 million; 0.10% of its GDP).  Tax reduction/exemption. There are 12 measures from 8 economies 115 of various forms: commuter allowance in the form of income tax reduction/exemption (e.g., Austria, Finland, and France); reduction/exemption of road tax (e.g., Czech Republic); tax reduction on social security contribution (e.g., Italy, France), wealth tax exemption (e.g., Greece), direct reduction in income tax (e.g., United Kingdom, Finland, Netherlands, and Portugal). For example, on 18 February 2022, Finland temporarily increased the mileage allowance for commuting expenses while using one’s car from EUR0.25 ($0.30) per km to EUR0.30 ($0.35) per km. This is provided in the form of tax exemption, as the commute to work will not be regarded as travel for tax purposes. Another example from the Czech Republic pertains to the exemption of road taxes on cars, buses and trucks up to twelve tons. Next, on 2 May 2022, Italy announced a reduction of 0.8 percentage points on the social security tax rate for civil servants; while in September 2022, Finland announced an index adjustment to the bases for earned income tax at all income levels, which will reduce central government tax revenue by EUR637 million ($754 million; 0.21% of its GDP) on an annual basis. A final example is from the Netherlands, which, in September 2022, announced a reduction of tax for self-employed people much faster than planned. The deduction was to fall from EUR6,310 ($7,464) to EUR5,950 ($7,038), while instead, it will fall further to 41 EUR5,030 ($5,950). In October 2022, Portugal also announced changes to the income tax scales to cater for the 5.1% salary increases agreed upon with social partners and to help increase family incomes. Box 3. Tax Rebate Special Cases Some of the measures listed under tax rebate have unique circumstances, primarily those in the North American region. Many U.S. states have issued tax rebates for tax filers primarily from the 2021 tax year. Some of these measures are targeted at taxpayers who reported incomes below a certain threshold. It is provided as a relief measure for lower-income taxpayers. Other states did not target income groups but distributed this tax rebate to all taxpayers. The end goal of these measures is to provide immediate relief for residents who are dealing with higher prices. In this sense, tax rebates act in a similar way to cash transfers. Unlike a typical tax rebate, most of these were neither due to a change in tax law resulting in the return of money retroactively nor were they due to the taxpayer applying for it (such as in a green energy tax rebate scheme). These tax rebates are measures by the federal or local governments to quickly provide direct checks to residents in the wake of rising prices. Canada and Bermuda also have similar measures, but the grand majority were recorded from U.S. state governments. For example, the state of Hawaii announced a tax rebate of between $100 to $300 depending on income, marital status, and the number of exemptions on their taxes. This tax rebate is expected to reach 600,000 individuals (42% of the state’s population) and cost $294 million (0.0013% of its GDP). Indirect taxes About 161 measures from 81 economies 116 relate to indirect taxes on food, fertilizer, fuel, and utilities (e.g., electricity, water, gas). These indirect tax measures can broadly be classified as VAT (72 measures, 45%), excise duty (37 measures, 23%), customs duty (31 measures, 19%), and other taxes (e.g., special tax, network tax; 21 measures, 13%). Similar to direct taxation, countries have adapted indirect taxes in three ways:  Raised annual turnover threshold required for mandatory VAT registration. Only one such measure has been recorded from Bulgaria, where on 18 May 2022, as part of the anti-crisis measure, raised the bar for mandatory VAT registration from BGN50,000 ($30,234) to BGN 100,000 ($60,468).  Suspended annual adjustment/indexation of indirect tax. There are 4 such measures, one each from Benin (electricity tariff), Singapore (GST), Sweden (fuel taxes) and the US (fuel taxes). For example, Benin, on 23 March 2022, decided to suspend the re-adjustment of electricity taxes until the end of 2022. Next, Singapore, on 18 February 2022, delayed the planned Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike to 2023. 117 Similarly, in Sweden, as part of the SEK14 billion ($1.63 billion; 0.26% of its GDP) package on fuel and power subsidy, the government suspended the annual indexation of diesel and petrol tax rates for 2022 and 2023, and the measure is expected to cost SEK 900 million ($104.93 million; 0.02% of its GDP) for 2023. Next, on 9 April 2022, the USA’s state of Illinois approved a $46.5 billion package, within this package fuel tax has a freeze at $0.39 per gallon starting from 1 July 2022 until 1 January 2023. The fuel tax was expected to go up in July as part of a regular inflation adjustment mechanism, however, this new measure puts a temporary freeze on the automatic adjustment.  Reduced and exempted indirect taxes. There are 153 measures across 80 economies 118 pertaining to the reduction or exemption of indirect taxes. The following are examples of each type of indirect tax. In September 2022, the Government in Finland proposed that the value-added tax rate on electricity be lowered to 10 per cent for the period from December to April, and, similarly, on 5 September 2022, Portugal announced the reduction of VAT on electricity from 13% to 6% to reduce prices consumers face. On 1 September 2022, it was reported that Zambia removed a 5% customs duty on the importation of cattle and chicken breeding to support agriculture and livestock, while Bermuda announced on July 15, a $15 million relief package (0.21% of its GDP) 42 that includes reducing the price of staple goods and foods through the reduction in import taxes for these products. Next, the Netherlands cut the excise duty on petrol and diesel by 21% from 1 April 2022 until the end of the year, costing the state EUR2.7 billion ($3.2 billion; 0.3% of its GDP) for the compensation of households. In September 2022, the reduction in excise duties on fuel previously established has been extended until July 2023, costing an additional EUR1.2 billion ($1.4 billion; 0.1% of its GDP) in lost revenue. On 5 September 2022, in Namibia, the government also reduced gas tariffs. A final example comes from Lithuania’s parliament, in November 2022, to cut the VAT rate on non-prescription drugs and medical aids to 5%.  Price control on tax measure: There are 3 measures; one each from Barbados, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis. For example, Barbados, on 16 March 2022, announced a 6-month cap on VAT for gasoline and diesel at 47 cents and 37 cents per liter, respectively. On 16 August 2022, the price cap was further extended for an undisclosed amount of time. Next, 28 measures (13% of 212 measures) were extended in duration. Examples from Israel and South Africa illustrate the overall dynamic of increase and tapering out of tax reductions (Figure 18). On 5 April 2022, the former country reduced the excise tax on fuel, with fuel prices declining by NIS0.50 ($0.15) per liter. On 31 July 2022, the government further cut the tax by the same amount for a duration of one month, resulting in a total reduction in tax by NIS1 ($0.31) per liter. By the end of August, the prices were expected to go up again by NIS0.50 ($0.15) (i.e., same as the initial tax cut) and this tax cut is expected to continue until the end of January 2023. Figure 18. Evolution of excise tax reduction in Israel (left) and general tax reduction in South Africa (right) $0.35 $0.12 South Africa: General levy reduction $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 Israel: Excise tax reduction on fuel $0.30 $0.31 $0.10 $0.25 $0.08 $0.20 $0.15 $0.15 $0.06 $0.05 $0.15 $0.04 $0.10 $0.05 $0.02 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Jul-22 Jun-22 Nov-22 Apr-22 May-22 Aug-22 Dec-22 Mar-22 Sep-22 Jan-23 Oct-22 Evolution of tax cut with extension of Evolution of tax cut with extension of measure measure The other example from South Africa, presented in the same Figure 18, is a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of R1.50 ($0.10) per liter starting from 6 April 2022 until 31 May 2022 (i.e., 2 months duration). On 31 May 2022, the government extended its fuel subsidy for another two months, until August, which was accomplished in a staggered 2-step process. In the first month (i.e., from 1 Jun to 6 July 2022) the extended fuel subsidy was the same as the initial tax cut (i.e., ZAR1.50 or $0.10 per liter), 43 but in the second month (i.e., from 7 July 7 to 2 August 2022) the tax cut was reduced to ZAR0.75 ($0.05) per liter (i.e., half the initial benefit). Finally, the temporary fuel levy reduction expired on 3 August 2022. The temporary fuel tax levy reduction costed ZAR6 billion ($1.78 billion; 0.42% of its GDP) 44 Annex 1. Regional responses Sub-Saharan Africa (AFR) Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa have announced or implemented a variety of different measures in response to the global price shock. The tracker, so far, records 161 measures across 45 economiesx (see Table A1.1). Following the global trend, the most common measures in SSA are subsidies, comprising close to 42% of all recorded measures in the region. This is followed by social assistance, tax, trade measures, labor market programs, and social insurance with 30%, 18%, 7%, 2%, and 1% respectively. In terms of program parameters: the region plans to cover 70.2 million individuals 119 (6% of the total population in the region) and cost $19.42 billion 120 (1.0% of the total regional GDP). Next, the average daily benefit size of subsidy and social assistance programs in the region tend to be $1, which is 48.4% of the daily median income. 121 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 5.8 months. 122 Of the 43 measures with duration information, 4 measure (9%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 3.3 months, on average. Table A1.1. Number of measures and share of total Component SSA World SSA as a share of the global Response No. of Share of No. of Share of Measures Total Measures Total Subsidies 67 42% 348 34% 19% Social assistance 48 30% 292 29% 16% Tax measures 29 18% 211 21% 14% Trade related measures 12 7% 63 6% 19% Labor market programs 3 2% 47 5% 6% Social insurance 2 1% 55 5% 5% Total 161 100% 1016 100% 16% Within subsidies, fertilizer subsidies in SSA are the most common with 21 recorded measures from 18 economies, making up about 34% of all subsidy measures. Starting with fertilizer and fuel subsidies, 21 fertilizer subsidies were recorded across 17 countriesxii and 19 fuel subsidies among 16 countries, respectively. Subsidies on fuel and fertilizer can again be categorized as: (i) fuel/fertilizer subsidies that cover part of the cost; (ii) price cap on fuel/fertilizer products. Fuel subsidy measures have almost an equal number of measures pertaining to both the categories, while all fertilizer subsidies measures, except one, relate to the first category (i.e., government covering part of the cost). On 3 September 2022, Gambia said that the government is adding another GMD5.6 million ($$109 thousand) on fuel subsidies to keep the prices within the means of Gambians. The country has spent GMD1.3 billion ($25 million; 1.2% of its GDP) on fuel subsidies in 2022 already. Similarly, Togo, on 16 September 2022, announced an increase in fuel subsidies from XOF30 bn ($54.1 million; 0.6% of its GDP) to XOF37.8 bn ($68.2 million; 0.8% of its GDP). On 12 October 2022, Congo's Ministry of Finance released a note saying that it had paid around $430 million in fuel subsidies and it also mentioned that for each liter of petrol purchased, the state pays CDF1,700 ($0.83). The following examples relate to fertilizer subsidies. In July 2022, the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a grant of $5.4 million for Burundi to finance an emergency agricultural production project. The grant will provide farmers with plant-protection products and seed procurement at a subsidized rate. Lesotho, in September 2022, started to provide subsidies on agricultural inputs to boost production. Fertilizers will be subsidized at a rate of 80 percent while seeds and other agrochemicals will be subsidized at 60 percent. This is likely to support favorable engagement in the agricultural season. Similarly, on 16 September 2022, Togo announced an 45 increase to fertilizer subsidies from XOF6 billion ($10.8 million; 0.13% of its GDP) to XOF7.5 billion ($13.5 million; 0.16% of its GDP). Following fuel subsidies, food subsidies are the second most-used form of intervention. Food subsidies can be broadly classified into 2 categories: (i) food subsidies that cover part of the cost; (ii) price cap on food products. Most of the food subsidy measures (13 measures) from the region belong to the latter category. For example, Mauritius, in late April 2022, decided to inject an additional MUR150 million ($3.60 million; 0.03% of its GDP) to vertically increase the subsidy to retain the prices of seven essential commodities, such as canned sardines and cheese. This price control measures had started in mid-July 2021, and came to an end, recently, on 30 June 2022. To provide another example of food subsidy, consider Kenya, which on 20 July 2022, subsidized maize flour by KES105 ($0.96), making 2kg maize flour cost just KES100 ($0.91), down from KES205 ($1.87). The duration of the program was 1 month (expected to end on August 20) and was expected to cost KES8 billion ($72.97 million; 0.07% of its GDP). Finally, fee subsidies include 10 measures across 8 economies. 123 The majority of these belong to fee price control (3 measures), followed by transportation and utility discounts (2 measures each). The rest of the measures, one each, belong to education, mortgage, and housing subsidies. For example, on 1 July 2022, the Mozambican government announced that it will grant a subsidy to passengers on urban public transport in the country for a period of six months. On 29 March 2022, Botswana announced to continue its support to Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) with a revenue grant which is meant to cushion consumers against what would otherwise be exorbitantly high electricity tariffs.. For the FY 2022-23, BPC will receive P600 million ($54 million). On 16 September 2022, Togo announced subsidies for schooling materials to parents with children. They will also receive 2.5 billion CFA francs ($4.5 million) of subsidies to get writing and reading manuals for primary school students. Following subsidies, social assistance measures were the most used responses with 38% of the measures (48 responses) implemented across 24 economies. Similar to the global trend, cash measures constitute the majority of transfers (56%; 27 measures). Furthermore, there are 14 in-kind measures, four public works, and three measures on school feeding. Within cash measures, 19 measures experienced adaptation – “vertical only” adaptation (Angola and Côte d’Ivoire) and “horizontal and vertical” adaptation (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Somalia, and Zambia). Additionally, one measure recorded vertical expansion and admin simplification (South Africa). Horizontal expansion of existing programs was recorded for 7 measures (Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria), while two measures were recorded under horizontal expansion for new targeted measures with multiple payments (Cape Verde and Liberia). To provide a “vertical only” expansion example, Côte d’Ivoire, on 6 August 2022, announced that monthly transport and family allowance has been increased from XOF2,500 (US$3.8) to XOF7,500 (US11.6) per child for every civil servant and state personnel. The government also increased family allowance to XOF5,000 ($7.7) per child for state pensioners. On 11 October 2022, South Africa announced that the child support grant for those taking care of orphaned children will be increased to ZAR720 ($49) from ZAR480 ($32). Next examples are on vertical and horizontal expansion. Côte d’Ivoire announced an extension of the list of housing allowance beneficiaries to include every civil servant and state personnel. The housing allowance has also been increased to XAF20,000 ($31). On 14 June 2022, it was reported that the World Bank is supporting Zambia by scaling up the Shock Responsive Social Protection Project. The Social Cash Transfer (SCT) will cover cash transfers to almost 1.3 million beneficiaries (7.1% of the population) of the government’s SCT program for the period of one year. This emergency financing will therefore stabilize financing for the SCT, while also including a small buffer of funds to allow for a limited vertical or horizontal expansion of the cash transfer to respond to price shocks or other further shock, respectively, 46 as required. The program currently covers 974,000 individuals (5.3% of the population). SCT currently provides a bi-monthly transfer of ZMW400 ($24 equivalent, or $12 monthly) for an average household and double this amount for households with a disabled person. On October 2021, the World Bank approved a third additional financing to Burkina Faso, which includes vertical expansion to cover 77,500 households (459,145.14 individuals; 2.20% of the population) of regular cash transfers (via Social Safety Net Project). The measure will cost $10 million. The regular cash transfer program provides each household with quarterly cash transfers of CFAF35,000 ($63.12) each in March, June, September, and December during a three-year cycle. The vertical expansion plans to provide two additional cash transfers of the same amount each in July and August, while horizontal expansion of beneficiaries will receive the same amount for three months over July-September. In terms of in-kind measures, multilateral banks played a very important role to support grants in the region. For example, in Cameroon, on 2 May 2022, the World Bank approved a credit in the amount of $100 million for “Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project” which has provided $23.6 million for emergency food and nutrition assistance. On 14 July 2022, the African Development Bank Group approved a grant of $5.39 million to Central African Republic to assist with the production of an additional 32,000 tons of foodstuffs and enhance food security for 100,000 people (2.1% of the population). On 21 July 2022, the World Bank signed an agreement with the WFP to provide $100 million in financing for a new Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project. The Unconditional Food Transfers component will cost $3.8 million and it will finance unconditional food transfers to the most vulnerable households, reaching 100,000 beneficiaries (17,000 households or 0.2% of the population). Each beneficiary will receive food equivalent to $7 in monthly transfers for four months. In practical terms, this will include 240 grams of sorghum, 30 grams of pulses, 15 grams of vegetable oil and 5 grams of salt per person per day. There will be no limitation on the household size. A second example relates to a public work program which was implemented in Cameroon, in addition to the ones previously recorded in Malawi, Liberia and Niger. On 2 May 2022, the World Bank approved a credit from IDA in the amount of $100 million for “Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project”. The labor-intensive public works (LIPW) for resilience ($11.4 million) will support 33,400 able-bodied laborers (0.1% of the population) which will be mobilized to participate in high labor intensity community public works programs. Activities under this subcomponent will include: (i) providing temporary employment for LIPW; (ii) payment of transfer fees and (iii) providing LIPW beneficiaries with tools, equipment and raw materials to implement selected subprojects. Finally, school feeding programs are also found in Cape Verde and Cameroon. For instance, on 24 September 2022, in Cape Verde, under a Limited Emergency Operation, WFP will purchase and transport food for school meals to 90,000 children (16% of the population), using existing procurement platforms to cost-effectively source the food, while ensuring that national food quality standards are met. The region has recorded 29 tax related measures across 18 economies. 124 These measures all belong to indirect taxes. They can further be categorized as follows: (i) VAT (12 measures); (ii) custom (6 measures); (iii) excise (3 measures); and (iv) others (2 measures). Examples for each follow. On 1 September 2022, Zambia removed 5% customs duty on the importation of cattle and chicken breeding to support agriculture and livestock. On 4 March 2022, the Democratic Republic of Congo announced VAT exemptions for fuel oil market supplies. On 14 June 2022, as part of the 2022-2023 budget, Tanzania reduced VAT to zero for locally manufactured double refined edible oil for one year and for locally manufactured fertilizers for one year at ex-factory sales by manufacturers. In July 2021, Rwanda government announced fuel subsidies by exempting taxes levied on fuel consumption. The Government reviews the fuel subsidy every two months once and makes the required adjustment. Finally, Zambia, in 47 January 2022, announced that it would waive off/suspend excise duty, import duty and VAT on fuel until the end of June 2022. Following which, it extended this suspension for another 3 months. Next, there are 12 measures related to trade, being implemented across 12 countries. 125 Of which, 8 measures relate to export/import ban, while the remaining relate to easing of trade restriction and come from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Examples for each category follow. The Government of Mali on 6 December 2021 announced a ban on exports of cereals, including rice, maize, millit and sorghum until further notice. Ghana, on 11 April 2022, extended the ban on export of maize and soya beans until the 20 September 2022. The measure was initially put in place in September 2021. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, in late May 2022, eased trade restrictions by removing mandatory import licenses/permit requirement on basic commodities, such as sugar and milk powder. 48 East Asia and Pacific (EAP) In East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region, a total number of 86 measures have been implemented across 16 economies 126 to help mitigate the effects of the rising fuel and food prices. The majority of the measures (27) passed in EAP are fuel and food subsidies by governments. Subsidies are followed by social assistance measures (34). The measures passed in EAP region account for 8% of total global measures in this version of the tracker. In terms of program parameters: the region plans to cover 177.3 million individuals 127 (7% of the total population in the region) and cost $243.1 billion 128 (0.8% of the total regional GDP). Next, the average daily benefit size of subsidy and social assistance programs in the region tend to be $3.8, which is 13.2% of the daily median income. 129 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 3.5 months. 130 Of the 31 measures with duration information, 2 measure (6%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 4 months, on average. Table A1.2. Number of measures and share of total Component EAP World EAP as a share of the No. of Share of No. of Share of global Response Measures Total Measures Total Subsidies 36 42% 348 34% 10% Social assistance 34 40% 292 29% 12% Tax measures 5 6% 211 21% 2% Trade related measures 5 6% 63 6% 8% Labor market programs 6 7% 47 5% 13% Social insurance - - 55 5% - Total 86 100% 1016 100% 8% Within subsidies, fee subsidies consist of 15 measures, followed by fuel subsidies which account for 11 measures, followed by fertilizer subsidies 6 measures (from China and Philippines), and food subsidies reporting 4 measures from Indonesia and Malaysia. Fee subsidies consist of measures to keep transportation, utility, education, and other essentials under certain prices. When looking at fee subsidies, there are 15 measures implemented across EAP; utility discounts (7 measures); green energy subsidies (3 measures); transportation subsidies (4 measures) and rental/housing subsidies (1 measure from Taiwan). Several of the new measures were passed under the new economic package passed in Singapore and Japan last October. For example, the Ministry of Education of Singapore announced that 44,000 students (0.8% of the population) will benefit from an increase in transportation subsidy from January 2023. Currently the monthly public transport subsidy for primary to pre-university is $15 but from January 2023 it will be increased to $17. The Ministry of Transport of Singapore has announced that 600,00 transport vouchers will be distributed among low- income households to cushion the impact of fare increase. The Japanese government announced a $270 billion (0.05% of its GDP) worth economic package, part of which will subsidize natural gas used by households and businesses for about 20 cents per cubic meter. When looking at green energy subsidies the Australian state of Queensland had announced subsidies on electric vehicles (EVs) to help with rising oil prices. AUD$3,000 ($2,254) was provided for any EVs purchased that are priced under AUD$58,000 ($43,569). Similarly, on 2 May 2022, China announced that EV buyers will receive subsidies from local governments aiming to bolster the industry. People who retire a car registered in the city more than 1 year ago and purchase a new energy vehicle by the end of 2022 will receive a subsidy of as much as 10,000 yuan ($1,499). Concerning fuel subsidies, on 10 May 2022, the Malaysian government announced it will pay MYR28 billion ($6.8 billion) in fuel subsidies this year if the price of crude oil continued to remain above $100 per barrel. While the government stands 49 to gain a larger sum in oil revenue, fuel subsidies bill this year could be five times higher than the MYR5.3 billion ($1.3 billion) allocated under Budget 2022. Subsidies are also provided for a variety of services such as transportation, water, electricity, heating and housing. For example, New Zealand announced that it would reduce public transport fares by 50%. Similarly, starting from June 2022, Hong Kong’s households will receive an electricity subsidy credited to their electricity accounts of HK$80 ($10.3) for 11 consecutive months, and HK$120 ($15.4) in the 12th month, adding up to a total of HK$1,000 ($128.6) in subsidy. Trends in fuel subsidies also consist of caps to keep fuel under certain prices. For example, Thailand’s cabinet agreed to extend energy subsidies worth THB9.1 billion ($254 million) which will be offered until the end of 2022. Previously, Japan had set aside JPY1.2 trillion ($9.4 billion; 0.19% of its GDP) that were used for oil subsidy programs through the end of September 2022. These subsidies helped to keep the oil prices in Japan under an average of JPY30-35 ($0.21-$0.25) per liter. In Thailand, the cabinet introduced a round of measures to help with rising prices of fuel. To help with cutting the cost of living, a 50% subsidy on the diesel prices has been introduced for three months from July to September. Previously, on 10 May 2022, Indonesia announced an additional $24 billion (2.02% of the GDP) to increase energy subsidies because of rising commodity prices. Amongst social assistance measures, responses have been predominantly in the form of cash assistance and one measure in China which introduced cash for work. In May 2022, the government announced that it will invest CNY6.6 billion ($1.02 billion; 0.006% of its GDP) in a cash-for-work scheme. A total number of 28 cash transfer measures have been passed in the region. For example, in July, the Cambodian government announced that it will be extending the cash transfer program until the end of the year to tackle the rising cost. Previously, in a unique cash transfer example, Indonesia announced that in response to rising cooking oil prices it will provide poor households and street vendors with unconditional cash transfers amounting up to IDR100,000 ($67.16) per month. Previously, Macau’s permanent residents received a medical voucher worth MOP600 ($74.9) starting from May 2022, to be used over the next two years. On the cash transfer front, Japan, for instance, announced a relief package of JPY1.3 trillion ($11 billion; 0.24% of its GDP) for cash payouts to low-income households. To preserve food stocks for the local population, governments in the region have implemented import/export restrictions (e.g., China, Malaysia, and Vietnam). For example, on 6 May 2022, Vietnam introduced a five percent increase in the export tax rate of agriculture fertilizers in an effort to cool down domestic fertilizer prices. China has tightened the regulations for fertilizer exports by introducing a new requirement of inspection prior to export. At the same time, some economies have slowly started easing their trade restrictions (e.g., Indonesia and South Korea). For example, on 19 May 2022, Indonesia lifted the ban on palm oil exports previously introduced in April to ease the tight pressure on global food prices. Subsequently, on 20 May 2022, the government again re-imposed domestic sales requirements on palm oil. Fertilizer subsidies in the region were implemented only in China and Philippines. China allocated $1.5 billion (0.008% of its GDP) to grain farmer subsidies to offset soaring production costs. The one-off subsidy aims to support summer harvest and autumn sowing. On 21 October 2022, Philippines announced that an additional PHP4.1 billion ($83 million; less than 0.01% of its GDP) will be introduced into the government’s fertilizer subsidy program to help alleviate the burden on local rice farmers. Five economies in EAP have also implemented wage subsidies under labor market-related measures. A total of 6 measures were implemented, of which 2 programs have already ended. For example, on 18 March 2022, Malaysia announced MYR20.63 billion ($4.98 billion; 1.34% of its GDP) in wage subsidies to preserve 2.96 million local jobs with the program coming to a successful ending. On 13 September 50 2022, Thailand's cabinet agreed to a minimum wage increase to help mitigate the impact of high energy prices and living costs. The wage hike, by 5 per cent on average, was the first in more than two years. 51 Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Response in the ECA region accounts for 46% of the total measures reported in the tracker, with 468 measures adopted across 46 economies 131 (see Table A1.3). Following the global trend, most of the measures fall under subsidies (33%). Followed by social assistance (27%), tax measures (21%), social insurance (8%), labor market (6%) and trade-related measures (5%). In terms of program parameters: the region plans to cover 338.1 million individuals 132 (36% of the total population in the region) and cost $296.1 billion 133 (1.2% of the total regional GDP). Next, the average daily benefit size of subsidy and social assistance programs in the region tend to be $7.3, which is 21.4% of the daily median income. 134 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 4.3 months. 135 Of the 135 measures with duration information, 13 measure (10%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 8.5 months, on average. Table A1.3. Number of measures and share of total Component ECA World ECA as a share of the global No. of Share of No. of Share response measures total measures of total Subsidies 154 33% 348 36% 44% Social assistance 125 27% 292 24% 43% Tax measures 96 21% 211 22% 45% Trade related measures 23 5% 63 10% 37% Labor market programs 30 6% 47 4% 64% Social insurance 40 8% 55 4% 73% Grand total 468 100% 1016 100% 46% Subsidies consist of 154 measures in total, across 42 economies. 136 Within subsidies, fee subsidy is the most popular, with 108 measures implemented across 32 economies. 137 The majority of these belong to utility discounts (52 measures), followed by fee price control (24 measures). The rest of the sub- categories have very little measures: transportation (7 measures), green energy subsidy (11 measures), housing subsidy (6 measures), mortgage (4 measures), and education (3 measure). An example of each of them follow. In September 2022, the French government introduced a subsidy of EUR200 ($237) for French citizens to help heating with oil or wood during the winter. In Estonia’s national budget for 2023, energy subsidies of EUR50 ($59) per megawatt-hour for domestic consumers were implemented. Belgium, on 2 October 2021, extended the social energy tariff introduced during the pandemic until the end of March 2022. It costed EUR208 million ($246 million; 0.04% of its GDP) and targeted nearly 500 thousand households (1.16 million individuals; 10.05% of the population). On 14 March 2022, the government extended the social tariff until 30 September 2022, and the measure benefitted 880 thousand families (2.04 million individuals; 17.69% of the population), at an expected cost of EUR 600 million ($709.64 million; 0.12% of its GDP) for January-September 2022 (almost double that of 2021). On 18 June 18 2022, the social tariff was further extended until the end of 2022. An example of fee price control comes from France, which on 7 July 2022, as part of a package, announced a 3.5% cap on rental increase. The next example is related to subsidized or free transportation. Andorra, on 30 April 2022, created a free monthly season ticket for all residents and to lower the price of school transport. To provide another example on fee subsidies, interest rate was reduced on overdue payments to the state, municipalities, utilities and others by up to 8% in Bulgaria. The next popular measure within subsidies is fuel subsidy (25 measures) across 16 economies. 138 Fuel subsidies can be broadly classified into 2 categories: (i) fuel subsidies that cover part of the cost; (ii) price cap on fuel. A large share of fuel subsidies in the region pertains to the former category (measure). For example, in October 2022, Portugal announced a measure to provide extra support for farmers with 10% off each liter of agriculture. Greece has included an extension of the subsidy for its heating oil until 2023 52 in its budget for the next year. Bulgaria offered a discount of BGN0.25 ($0.15) per liter of petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas and methane starting from July until the end of the year. When looking at price control measures, Slovenia, for instance, in March 2022, set the maximum retail price for 95-octane gasoline at EUR1.503 ($1.78) per liter and for diesel at EUR1.541 ($1.82) per liter for a duration of one month. On April 1, price control on fuel price was extended, and set at wholesale price which is lower than the previously set price. The wholesale prices were frozen at EUR1.483 ($1.75) per liter and EUR1.521 ($1.80) per liter of petrol and diesel, respectively, for one month. On May 10, the government again reintroduced a price cap on motor fuels by increasing the maximum retail prices to EUR1.560 ($1.85) per liter and EUR 1.668 ($1.97) per liter for petrol and diesel, respectively. This measure was in place until early August. Next, there are 12 fertilizer subsidies and 9 food subsidies recorded across 16 economies. 139 Subsidies on fuel and fertilizer, can again be broadly classified as: (i) fuel/fertilizer subsidies that cover part of the cost; (ii) price cap on fuel/fertilizer products. Food subsidies consist of 2 price controls and one reduction in food price measures, while all fertilizer subsidy measures relate to the reduction in fertilizer cost. Examples for each of such subsidies are as follows. Starting with fertilizer and agricultural subsidies, on 8 September 2022 Croatia announced fertilizer aid worth EUR31.9 million ($37.7 million) for workers in the fishing industry to help with rising costs. Kosovo announced subsidies of agriculture fertilizers for EUR150 ($177) per acre of wheat and EUR100 ($118) per acre of corn, beans, and potato. Poland announced to provide fertilizer subsidies to agricultural producers bought between 1 September 2021 and 15 May 2022. The subsidy will cover up to 50 hectares of land and will amount to PLN500 ($129.47) per hectare of agricultural land and PLN250 ($64.73) per hectare of meadows, pastures and grassland on arable land. Aid for farmers has also been designed so that on the basis of invoices for purchases of fertilizers, compensation can be paid. It will be a compensation of around PLN1,500 ($388.41) for one ton of fertilizer. As of May 2022, 37,000 farmers (0.01% of the population) have submitted their application. The following examples relate to food subsidies. On 6 March 2022, Czech Republic planned to cap prices for food and other raw materials. To give another example, Tajikistan in order to stabilize prices has established mobile sales outlets in the market and has been selling a fixed amount of staple food to the public at relatively low prices. After subsidies, social assistance measures were the most used responses, with 27% of the measures (125 responses) implemented across 34 economies. 140 Similar to the global trend, cash measures are the majority (86%; 107 measures). Followed by 15 in-kind (12%) and 3 social pension (2%) measures. Within cash measures, 47 measures experienced adaptations. Of which, 32 are “vertical only” expansion, 6 are horizontal only, 4 are “horizontal and vertical” expansion, and 2 admin simplification. In Estonia, for instance,on 22 September 2022, the government announced that it is increasing the amount of the child benefits to EUR80 ($95). Another example is from Croatia, where 2,00 additional scholarships for students were announced in the amount of EUR200 ($237) compared to the previous amount of EUR159 ($188). Denmark, in April 2022, announced that the regulatory increase from April 1 for several social benefits will be 1.8%. This concerns the active solidarity income (RSA) which will therefore be EUR575.52 ($680.69) per month for a single person without children. In July 2022, the active solidarity income was further increased by 4%. Thus, an RSA beneficiary without children who received EUR575.52 ($680.69) per month will receive around EUR23 ($27.20) more, making it EUR598 ($707.28). Similarly, examples of other social assistance programs are as follows. Starting with in-kind measures (15 measures) which can be broadly classified into in-kind distribution (of food and non-food; 2 measures) and voucher (for food and non-food; 4 measures). In October 2022, Portugal announced a new measure that guarantees a grant for children in poverty worth EUR1,200 ($1,419) per year which will 53 start in 2023 with a cost of EUR124 million ($146,7 million; 0.06% of its GDP). On 21 October 2022, the Asian Development Bank announced $70 million for the government of Tajikistan to help with expansion of the social assistance program for poor and vulnerable people. Romania in mid-April 2022 announced to provide 4.7 million pensioners and other low-income families (24.37% of the population) with vouchers for basic food products worth EUR50 ($59.14) every two months. The vouchers will be distributed bi-monthly until January 2023. A second example relates to social pensions. France announced regulatory increase for several social benefits by 1.8%, starting from 1 April 2022, and the disabled adult allowance (AAH), disability pensions and all family benefits, will benefit from it. Next, the region has recorded 96 tax related measures across 31 economies. 141 Of which 30 measures belong to direct tax and the remaining to indirect tax (66 measures). Within direct taxes, they can further be classified as: (i) income tax (28 measures); (ii) road tax (1 measure); (iii) property tax (1 measure). Similarly, indirect tax can also be further categorized as: (i) VAT (41 measures); (ii) custom (2 measures); (iii) excise (16 measures); and (iv) others (7 measures). Examples for each follow. Starting with income tax, Estonia, from January 2023, will exempt taxes on low-income earners who are making less than EUR654 ($774) per month. In September 2022, the Netherlands announced that it will reduce income tax rates for the first EUR73,071 ($86,436) and the employed person’s tax credit will rise to a maximum of EUR521 ($616) net per year. Albania, from April, will stipulate the zero tax for salaries up to ALL40,000 ($386.40), halving the tax for salaries up to ALL50,000 ($483), and reducing the tax for salaries from ALL150,000 ($1,449.00) to ALL200,000 ($1,931.99). About 360,000 employees (12.69% of the population) across the country are expected to benefit from this policy. The next example is on road tax from Czech Republic, which in late April 2022, cancelled road taxes for cars, buses and trucks up to twelve tons. One last example from direct tax pertains to property tax. United Kingdom, in early February 2022, introduced a GBP150 ($206.31) council tax rebate starting 1 April 2022, which means that council tax costs will not rise for the majority of people, including those on the lowest incomes. Moving on to examples related to indirect tax, the first example relates to reduction/exemption of VAT on food, electricity or other items. For instance, on 1 September, 2022, Finland proposed that VAT rate on electricity should be lowered to 10% from December to April to cope with energy prices during winter season. Bulgaria, on 18 May 2022, introduced a zero VAT rate on the supply of bread and flour for one year. Moving to excise reduction and custom duties, Montenegro, on 5 May 2022, announced the reduction in excise duties for fuels by 50%, while North Macedonia, on 10 March 2022, also removed customs duties on all imports of basic food products. Next, a batch of 23 measures relate to trade, being implemented across 13 economies. 142 Of which, 20 measures relate to export/import bans, while the remaining relate to easing of trade restriction and come from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. Examples for each category follow. For instance, North Macedonia introduced a temporary export ban of agricultural products in March 2022, a measure that was extended until December 2022. Hungary, on 4 March 2022, announced export restrictions on all grainsxxxvii by imposing export licensing requirements effective immediately. The next example pertains to import easing from Kazakhstan, which in late February replaced the ban on potatoes and carrots with quotas in the amount of 144,500 tons and 57,500 tons, respectively. The duration of the current restriction was 3 months until 1 May 2022. The ban was initially placed on 22 January 2022. There are 40 social insurance measures across 24 economies. 143 These measures can be categorized as (i) pension increase (31 measures); (ii) social security contribution (8 measures); and (iii) unemployment insurance (1 measure). An example for each category is as follows. In August 2022, Czech Republic announced an aid package which will introduce an increase of CZK2,500($115) in pensions. In September 2022, the Albanian government announced that it will review the current pension schemes which will be adjusted by 6%. In Lithuania the government has devoted EUR106.3 million ($125.73 54 million; 0.19% of its GDP) to increase old-age pensions by 5%. Similarly, the Swedish parliament increased pensions by SEK1,000 per month ($116.60) in a package that will cost ca. SEK14 billion ($1.63 billion; 0.26% of its GDP). When looking at social security contribution reduction, in France, for instance, self-employed will benefit from a permanent reduction in their contributions, generating a gain of EUR550 ($650.51) per year at the level of the minimum wage. As an example of unemployment insurance measure, in Belgium, workers will receive an allowance corresponding to 70% of their average salary with a ceiling (EUR2,955.69 or $3,495.81 per month), regardless of the reason for the temporary unemployment. Starting from March 2022, all workers temporarily unemployed for reasons of force majeure (except for medical force majeure) will receive, in addition to the unemployment benefit, a supplement of EUR5.98 ($7.07) per day. This measure was expected to end in June 2022. A next batch of 30 measures pertain to labor market and were implement across 18 economies. 144 For example, in October 2022, Portugal announced that the national minimum wage will be raised from the current EUR705 ($834) to EUR760 ($899) from January 2023. Lithuania also announced a minimum monthly wage increase to EUR840 ($994). In North Macedonia there was a 15% increase in wages for all staff working in kindergarten, primary, and secondary school as announced on 11 July 2022. Moreover, the United Kingdom announced an increase of the national living wage for workers aged 23 and above to GBP9.50 ($13.1) an hour, which is a 6.6% increase from the current wage. 55 Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Economies in the LAC region have announced or implemented a variety of measures in response to the global price shock. This tracker records 143 measures across 36 economies 145 within the LAC region (see Table A1.4), representing 14% of the global response. There are 7 newly added economies for this version of the tracker. Following the global trend, most of the measures fall under subsidies (36%), followed by tax measures (28%), social assistance (24%), social insurance (5%), labor market program measure (4%) and trade-related measures (3%). In terms of program parameters: the region plans to cover 122.8 million individuals 146 (19% of the total population in the region) and cost $34.6 billion147 (0.6% of the total regional GDP). Next, the average daily benefit size of subsidy and social assistance programs in the region tend to be $2.4, which is 19.9% of the daily median income. 148 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 5 months. 149 Of the 52 measures with duration information, 6 measure (12%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 2.5 months, on average. Table A1.4 Number of measures and share of the total Component LAC World LAC as a share of N. of Share of N. of Share of the global response Measures Total Measures Total Subsidies 52 36% 348 34% 15% Social assistance 34 24% 291 29% 12% Tax measures 40 28% 212 21% 19% Trade related measures 4 3% 63 6% 6% Labor market programs 6 4% 47 5% 13% Social insurance 7 5% 55 5% 13% Total 143 100% 1016 100% 14% Beginning with subsidy measures, there are 52 such measures recorded across 29 economies within LAC. 150 Within the category of subsidies, the sub-category of fuel subsidies accounts for just under half of the total subsidy measures (44%) with 23 measures across 20 economies. 151 Of these, 13 are price control measures aimed at controlling or freezing the price of fuel at certain target prices. The other 10 measures within fuel subsidies correspond to subsidies which aim to reduce the price of fuel for consumers. For example, Panama put a price control on fuel on July 18, freezing the price of regular gasoline at $3.25 a gallon. This measure is expected to cost the government $200 million (0.31% of its GDP). There are 16 fees subsidy measures recorded for this version across 13 economies. For example, the Colombian government announced the Pacto por la Justicia Tarifiaria in September in order to reduce electricity costs in the medium and long term. This includes updating the inflation indexation of the controlled electricity monthly rates to include more up to date information in the calculations (currently using 2020 data). This measure also removes the existing minimum increase that rates had to increase by from 0.6% to 0% as well as providing subsidies to electric companies in order to reduce the cost for consumers. Previously, the Peruvian government added a subsidy to reduce energy and electricity bills by 15% for low-income households. All fee subsidy measures aim to reduce the burden of increasing costs of utilities, primarily electricity and heating/cooking gas. There are 9 food subsidy measures across 7 economies. For example, two measures in the Dominican Republic aim to control food prices; one measure, which was announced on March 7, is a subsidy of 10% on staple food products (corn, wheat, soy, flour, and vegetable oil), while the second measure is a price freeze on most food products, which was announced on April 9. Similarly, the government of The Bahamas announced on October 12 a price control on 38 staple food products. Additionally, there have been 4 fertilizer/agriculture subsidy measures recorded across 4 countries (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Haiti, and St. Lucia), all of which are newly recorded 56 for this version. For example, the government of St. Lucia has given a 30% subsidy on inputs for banana farmers in order to support them in light of the rising costs of production. Next, social assistance measures account for 24% (34 measures) of the total measures in the region, recorded across 14 economies. 152 Almost all of social assistance response measures are cash transfers except for 8 other measures of which 5 are in-kind measures, from Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Colombia. Then, there is one school-feeding measure in Barbados, one public works program in Haiti, and one non- contributory social pension in Jamaica. In Singapore, for instance, the Ministry of Transport announced on 12 October 2022 that to further cushion the impact of the fare increase, 600,000 transport vouchers will also be disbursed to needy households. Most new measures in LAC for cash transfers are expansions on existing programs. For example, Chile announced on April 25 a new program called Canasta Básica Protegida, which expands on existing programs and aims to cover 3.1 million people (16% of the total population) with a monthly transfer of minimum CLP6,410 ($17). Additionally, Uruguay also announced a measure that vertically expands on two existing cash transfer programs by 4%. These two programs are the Asignaciones Familiares-Plan de Equidad and the Tarjeta Social Uruguay. This new measure is expected to reach 800,000 beneficiaries (23% of the total population). More recently, the government of Argentina announced a new cash transfer aimed at the most vulnerable population to help with the rising cost of food. It is a two-time cash transfer totaling ARS45,000 ($473.73) and set to cover at least 514,000 individuals (1.1% of the population). 153 The third most-used measures within LAC fall under the tax category with 40 measures across 19 economies, all of which fall under indirect taxes except for one measure. The one direct tax measure is a price freeze for all bridge and highway tolls in Mexico in order to reduce transportation costs. This measure is part of the larger package called the Acuerdo de Apertura contra la Inflación y la Carestía (APECIC) and is set to last until the end of February 2023. Of the indirect tax measures, there are 9 recorded for VAT and excise duty each, 15 recorded measures for customs duty, and 6 recorded as other types of indirect taxes. In the LAC region, only 4 trade-related measures are recorded, all of them in Argentina except for one in Mexico. Two of the measures are aimed at soy products, where one temporarily bans exports of soybean meal and soybean oil, while the other increases the tax on the export of soy meal and soy oil. The third measure sets a quota on beef exports that is set to last for 2 years. The Mexican measure is a newly recorded measure in October and is a temporary restriction on exports for certain products (white corn, beans, sardines, and aluminum and steel scrap metal) as a part of the larger APECIC package that is set to last until the end of February 2023. There are also 6 measures under the labor market category for the region. Five of them are minimum wage increases. For example, a gradual increase in the minimum wage in Chile that started on 1 May 2022. It will reach a total increase of 14.3% by 1 August 2022, with the option to increase further if inflation reaches higher than 7% by December 2022. The other 4 are in Argentina, El Salvador, The Bahamas and Jamaica. The sixth labor market measure is a public sector wage increase in St. Lucia. 57 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Within the region, economies have announced or implemented a variety of different measures in response to the global price shock. This tracker so far records 76 measures across 19 economies 154 in MENA (see Table A1.5). The majority of the measures fall under social assistance (33%) and subsidies (29%), followed by tax measures (17%), trade related measures (16%) and social insurance (5%). In terms of program parameters: the region plans to cover 161.4 million individuals 155 (35% of the total population in the region) and cost $41.6 billion156 (1.1% of the total regional GDP). Next, the average daily benefit size of subsidy and social assistance programs in the region tend to be $14, which is 40.9% of the daily median income. 157 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 7.8 months. 158 Of the 32 measures with duration information, 3 measure (9%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 2.3 months, on average. Table A1.5. Number of measures and share of total Component MENA World MENA as a N. of Share of N. of Share of share of the Measures Total Measures Total global response Subsidies 22 29% 348 34% 6% Social assistance 25 33% 291 29% 9% Tax measures 13 17% 212 21% 6% Trade related measures 12 16% 63 6% 19% Labor market programs - - 47 5% - Social insurance 4 5% 55 5% 7% Total 76 100% 1016 100% 7% Social assistance measures were the most used responses, with 33% of the measures (25 responses) implemented across 10 economies. 159 Similar to the global trend, cash measures are the majority (68%, 17 measures). The remaining 8 measures belong to in-kind (5 measures), school-feeding (1 measure), and social pensions (2 measures). Some examples from cash transfer programs are as follows. Malta, on 24 October 2022, as part of its 2023 budget, announced that parents who stopped working in order to take care of an adult child with severe disabilities will receive up to EUR4,500 ($5,323) and it will be paid every three months for the year of 2023. On July 2022, Saudi Arabia has allocated $5.33 billion (0.64% of its GDP) to dampen the effects of rising prices from which $532 million will be distributed as an additional one-time payment to social security beneficiaries. Within cash measures, there is one horizontal expansion. Egypt, in March 2022, announced the expansion of Takafol and Karama social protection program coverage to include an additional 450,000 households (1.86 million individuals; 1.82% of the population) with an estimated budget of EGP2.7 billion ($172.58 million; 0.04% of its GDP). On July 26, the government gave directives to expand the number of families benefiting from the program by adding an additional one million families to the program, taking the number of the beneficiaries to more than 20 million citizens nationwide (19.54% of the population). Another example, although not an expansion, is Iran, which, in May 2022, announced that it will provide cash compensations for raise in bread price by paying monthly around IRR4 million ($95) to the bottom 30 percent of the population, around IRR3 million ($71) to next 60 percent of the population and no money to the top 10 percent of the population. Another example of in-kind measure comes from Iraq where thegovernment directed to distribute sacrificial meat throughout the year. 58 Within subsidies, similar to the SSA region and unlike the global trend, food subsidies are the most common with 11 measures recorded across 9 economies,liv making up about 56% of all subsidy measures. Food subsidies can be broadly classified into 2 categories: (i) food subsidies that cover part of the cost; (ii) price cap on food products. Both types of food subsidies have recorded equal representation in the region. In February 2022, Qatar stabilized prices of essential items through price control mechanism. Another example relates to subsidies on food items from Egypt, where it launched the Ahlan (Welcome) Ramadan Initiative to provide key staples and food commodities at low prices nationwide and about at least 160 vendors took part in the initiative offering discounts up to 30%. Next, there are 3 fuel measures (Malta, Oman and UAE) and 1 fertilizer subsidy (Oman). Subsidies on fuel and fertilizer, can again be broadly classified as: (i) fuel/fertilizer subsidies that cover part of the cost; (ii) price cap on fuel/fertilizer products. Examples for each of such subsidies are as follows. Starting with fuel subsidies, Malta, on October 2022, announced that as per government’s energy policy in the 2023 budget, families on average will save EUR700 ($828) in fuel cost. UAE, on 4 July 2022, announced fuel subsidies within its broader relief package of AED28 billion ($7.62bn; 2.12% of its GDP). Emiratis will receive an 85 per cent discount on the cost of petrol above AED2.10 ($0.57) per liter — the current price is AED4.6 ($1.25). The allowance is renewed every month up to 400 liters for the father and up to 500 liters if both in the couple have a car. Emirati familieslv with incomes below AED25,000 per month ($6,807) will benefit from it. The following example relates to fertilizer subsidies. Oman, on 31 May 2022, announced availability of subsidized wheat kernel for the 2022/2023 season to support farmers in achieving self-sufficiency. The ministry plans to provide one ton of wheat seeds for OMR300 ($780.23) for the new season. Last comes fee subsidy with 7 measures across Israel, Malta, Morocco, Tunisia, and United Arab Emirates. The majority of these belong to utility discounts (4 measures). For utility control, on 24 October 2022, Malta announced as part of its 2023 budget that families will save an average of EUR1,300 ($1,538) in electricity savings. Saudi Arabia, on 4 July 2022, announced that it will spend SAR9.6 billion ($2.6 billion; 0.31% of its GDP) on maintaining strategic reserves of basic commodities. There is one measure each from education, housing subsidies, and other respectively. For example, Morocco, on 9 June 2022, announced a $1.75 billion subsidy increase (1.32% of its GDP) on cooking gas, besides food items. This is in addition to the $1.8 billion (1.36% of its GDP) already earmarked in the annual budget. Next, there are 12 measures related to trade, being implemented across 10 countries. 160 Of which, 11 measures relate to export/import restriction, while one measure relates to easing of trade restriction and comes from Iraq. For instance, Kuwait, on 20 March 2022, banned the export of grains and vegetable oil to other countries until the end of December 2022; while Iraq, in April 2022, suspended the import restriction (in the form of import licenses) on some goods, including food items, consumables, and medicines, until 8 June 8 2022. The region has recorded 13 tax related measures across 8 economies. 161 Of these measures, 8 are indirect taxes and 5 are direct tax measures, including one measure from Egypt on income tax. The measures in the indirect taxes can be further categorized as follows: (i) VAT (3 measures); (ii) custom (3 measures); and (iii) excise (2 measures). Examples for each follow. On 24 October 2022, Malta announced that parents who send their children for sports, art or culture activities will benefit from a tax deduction of EUR300 ($355). Israel introduced a plan to remove custom duties on beef, fish, seafood, canned tuna, sausages, sauces, dried fruits, cakes and cookies, and flour. Oman, in March 2022, added more food 59 commodities to the list of food items which were subject to Value Added Tax (VAT) at zero rate. The items include barley, corn, flour, beans and some animal feed. Next, Morocco, on 2 June 2022, exempted customs duties on sunflower, soybean, and rapeseed. To provide another example, Israel, on 5 April 2022, reduced the excise tax on fuel and hence fuel prices reduced by NIS0.50 ($0.15) per liter. On 31 July 2022, the government further cut the tax by the same amount for a duration of one month, resulting in a total reduction in tax by NIS1 ($0.31) per liter. By the end of August, prices were expected to go up again by NIS0.50 ($0.15) (i.e., the same as the initial tax cut) and this tax cut is expected to continue until the end of January 2023. There are 4 social insurance measures recorded in Egypt, Malta, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. For example, on 4 July 2022, Saudi Arabia allocated $532 million (0.06% of its GDP) to be distributed as an additional one-time pension payment to social security beneficiaries during the 2022 fiscal year. 60 North America (NA) The North American region implemented 53 measures across Bermuda, Canada, and the U.S., accounting for only 5% of the global response. The majority of the measures in the region belong to tax related measures (24 measures), accounting for 45% of the regional response. These are followed by social assistance (21 measures), accounting for 40% of the regional response. Next, subsidy measures with 6 measures (11% of the regional response), followed by labor market measures and social insurance, each with 1 measure (2% of the regional response) (see Table A1.6). In terms of program parameters: the region plans to cover 34 million individuals 162 (9% of the total population in the region) and cost $29.7 billion163 (0.1% of the total regional GDP). Next, the average daily benefit size of subsidy and social assistance programs in the region tend to be $7.5, which is 13.8% of the daily median income. 164 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 3.3 months. 165 Of the 38 measures with duration information, 1 measure (3%) recorded an extension in initial program duration of 2 months, on average. Table A1.6. Number of measures and share of total Component SAR World NA as a share of the global No. of Share of No. of Share of response measures total measures total Subsidies 6 11% 348 34% 2% Social assistance 21 40% 291 29% 7% Tax measures 24 45% 212 21% 11% Trade related measures - - 63 6% - Labor market measures 1 2% 47 5% 2% Social insurance 1 2% 55 5% 2% Grand total 53 100% 1016 100% 5% Tax measures are primarily income tax related (14 such measures) that are mainly tax rebates being distributed. Of these, 10 are within states of the U.S., 3 in Canada, and 1 in Bermuda. For example, in September the state of Virginia distributed $250 checks in the form of tax rebates to all eligible income tax filers for the 2021 tax year. Bermuda announced a similar measure but targeted the rebate to lower income tax filers, with higher income tax filers receiving less ($100) than lower income tax filers ($250). Additionally, there were 4 excise tax measures, all in the U.S. and all related to lowering fuel prices. Bermuda recorded the only 2 customs duty related measures, one looking to reduce prices for food products and the other for fuel prices. Finally, 1 property tax measure was recorded and 3 other tax related measures, all in the U.S. Social assistance programs from the region are mainly cash assistance (18 measures; 86% of social assistance measures) and in-kind food distribution (3 measures; 14%). Of the 18 cash transfers, 10 measures are from Canada, 6 from the U.S., and 2 from Bermuda. Almost all of these measures are one-offs with an average transfer size of $473.82 (two measures in Canada have a duration of 3 months and 24 months respectively). In terms of adequacy, they are just 12% of the median income. For instance, on July 15, Bermuda announced a $15 million (0.21% of its GDP) relief package that includes a one-off cash transfer of $150 for each student enrolled in public school to be given to parents and guardians. On October 7, California began a cash transfer program for inflation relief named the Middle Class Tax Refund. It is a one-off direct deposit for families making less than $150,000 a year. The transfer amount can be up to $1,050 and is expected to reach up to 23 million individuals (roughly 60% of the state’s population). It is expected to cost $9.5 billion or 0.3% of the state’s GDP. 61 With regard to in-kind measures, two recorded measures come from Canada and one from Bermuda. For example, Canada’s Nova Scotia province announced to provide CA$1 million ($797,526) to Feed Nova Scotia to distribute among its 140 food banks provincewide. Similarly, another CA$200,000 ($159,505.3) is being announced to be distributed to local food banks across the province that are not part of the Feed Nova Scotia network. Also, Bermuda announced as part of a $15 million relief package, an in-kind transfer of LED lightbulbs to families in order to use less energy and save on high energy costs. Next, all 4 subsidies from the region have been implemented in Canada while the other 2 are from the United States. All these measures have been fee subsidies except for one fertilizer/agriculture subsidy in the United States. For example, in the U.S., as a part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the government is providing an agriculture subsidy to 13,100 farmers (0.004% of the U.S. population) so far in the form of loan forgiveness. On September 7, the government of British Columbia, Canada announced a 2% cap on rent increases for 2023. This means that instead of allowing rent to increase at or more than the rate of inflation, it is being capped at a 2% increase so as to help renters in the province have more money in their pockets. There is only 1 labor market related measure from the region. It comes from Canada’s British Columbia, and it pertains to the wage increase sub-category. In an effort to support workers, the government increased the minimum wage by 45 cents making it CAD$15.65 ($12.48) an hour starting from 1 June 2022. 62 South Asia (SAR) In the South Asia Region (SAR), a total number of 29 measures have been recorded across 5 economies166 to reduce the impact of the rising fuel and food prices across the region. Most measures in SAR region belong to subsidies (11), followed by trade related measures (7), measures that are related to taxes (5), social assistance measures (4) and labor market and social insurance programs (1 measure each). Measures passed in the SAR region account for just 3% of the total global responses. In terms of program parameters: the region plans to cover 146.1 million individuals 167 (8% of the total population in the region) and cost $46 billion 168 (1.1% of the total regional GDP). Next, the average daily benefit size of subsidy and social assistance programs in the region tend to be $0.3, which is 6.7% of the daily median income. 169 And, on average, these measures have a duration of 2.5 months. 170 Of the 2 measures with duration information, 1 measure recorded an extension in initial program duration of 4 months, on average. Table A1.7. Number of measures and share of total Component SAR World SAR as a share of the global No. of Share of No. of Share of response measures total measures total Subsidies 11 38% 348 34% 3% Social assistance 4 14% 292 29% 1% Tax measures 5 18% 211 21% 2% Trade related measures 7 24% 63 6% 11% Labor market programs 1 3%% 47 5% 2% Social insurance 1 3% 55 % 2% Grand total 29 100% 1016 100% 3% Subsidies consist of a variety of responses. Similarly, to the previous version of the tracker, food subsidies constitute most of the responses (5 measures) in SAR. Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies have also recorded 5 measures. Fees subsidies follow with 1 measure (Sri Lanka). When looking at food subsidies in the region, economies have reduced or subsidized the price of food items. For example, on 7 March 2022, Pakistani launched a food subsidy program, Ehsaas Riyayat Ration Scheme, to provide a monthly subsidy of 30 percent on daily use commodities to 20 million households (136,089,573 individuals; 62% of the population). On 20 April 2022, Pakistan’s Punjab government reduced by PKR100 ($0.6) the price of a 10kg flour bag, making the cost fall from PKR550 to 450 ($3.4 to $2.8). In the case of agriculture inputs and fertilizer subsidies, on 31 October 2022, Pakistan’s government announced a special financial subsidy package of PKR1,800 billion ($11 million; 0.003% of its GDP) to promote agriculture and to provide farmers with necessities. The prices of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) will be reduced by PKR2,500 ($15) per bag as a result which will see a benefit of PKR58 billion ($356 million) to the farmers. Pakistan also announced as part of the financial subsidy package that 1.2 million bags of certified seeds worth PKR13.20 billion ($81 million) would be distributed among the farmers. On 9 October 2022, the Sri Lankan Government announced that it is allocating LKR16 billion ($86 million; 0.1% of its GDP) in organic fertilizer subsidies for paddy farmers for the coming farming season. Bangladesh, on 9 June 2022, increased its budget (FY2022-23) for fertilizer subsidies to BDT16,000 crore ($1.8 billion; 0.5% of its GDP), compared to BDT12,500 crore ($1.1 billion; 0.4% of its GDP) in FY 2021-22. Next, social assistance measures in SAR have been implemented in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the form of cash transfers. For example, on 26 October 2022, the Asian Development Bank released $1.5 billion to the State Bank of Pakistan which will support the government’s efforts to deal with the impacts of 63 floods, rising food prices and inflation. It will help in expanding the number of cash transfers through Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) from 7.9 million to 9 million people (from 3.58% to 4.07% of the population). On 22 August 2022, Sri Lanka announced to provide direct cash transfers low-income families after a 290% price hike of kerosene was reported across the country. Previously, Pakistan, on 28 May 28, 2022, announced a new relief package worth PKR28 billion ($171.9 million; 0.05% of its GDP) per month to mitigate the impact of the rise in prices of petroleum products. It aims to reach 14 million lower-income families (85 million individuals; 38.5% of the population) with immediate assistance of PKR2,000 ($12) per month. Lastly, trade-related measures in the region concern export restrictions imposed on wheat (e.g., Afghanistan and India) and sugar (e.g., India and Pakistan). Export restrictions in the region are mainly in the form of bans, except for one measure from India, which imposes a quota. For example, on June 29th, Bangladesh announced that it is putting restrictions on aromatic rice export by cancelling the permission of 41 aromatic rice companies in the country. But in the new version there has been some easing of trade restrictions too. For example, on July 26, Pakistani government announced that it will start removing restrictions on the import of “non-essential and luxury items”. Previously, on 20 May 2022, Afghanistan banned the export of wheat to other economies, while India on May 24, 2022, imposed export restrictions on sugar (raw, refined and white sugar) by setting a cap of 10 million tons on exports to ensure domestic availability. 64 Annex 2. Classification of measures Policy category SP Areas SP Category SP Sub-category 1. Social assistance 1.1.1. Unconditional cash transfers 1.1. Cash transfers 1.1.2. Conditional cash transfers 1.2.1. Old age social pensions 1.2. Social pensions (non-contributory) 1.2.2. Disability pensions 1.3.1. Food vouchers (quantity or value-based) 1.3.2. In-kind food distribution 1.3. In-kind transfers 1.3.3. Health kits and other in-kind transfers 1.3.4. Other in-kind vouchers (quantity or value-based) 1.4.1. School meals (on-site school feeding) 1.4. School feeding 1.4.2. Take-home rations 1.5.1. Cash for work 1.5. Public works 1.5.2. Cash for services 1.5.3. Food for work 2. Social insurance 2.1.1. Old age pensions 2.1. Pensions 2.1.2. Disability pensions 2.1.3. Survivors pensions 2.2.1. Individual retirement accounts and social contributions 2.2. Social security contributions waivers for individuals 2.2.2. Social security contributions for firms 2.3.1. Sickness and population at risk 2.3. Paid leave 2.3.2. Maternity/Paternity 2.4. Health insurance 2.4.1. Health insurance 2.5. Unemployment insurance 2.5.1. Out-of-work income support 3. Labor market 3.1.1. Labor market services including intermediation (PES) programs 3.1. Training & intermediation 3.1.2. Training (vocational, life skills, cash for training, others) 3.2.1. Wage subsidy with reduced work time (including zero working hours) 3.2.2. Wage subsidy without reduced work time (include 3.2. Wage subsidies waivers/payments of social security) 3.2.3.Subsidies for job creation that are targeted on newly created jobs 3.3.1. Hiring flexibility 3.3.2. Dismissal procedures 3.3.3. Working conditions/methods 3.3. Labor regulatory adjustment and 3.3.4. Leave policies enforcement 3.3.5. Relaxation of cooling-off periods 3.3.6. Labor inspector interventions including occupational health and workplace safety measures 3.3.7. Other regulatory adjustment 3.4.1. Minimum wage increase 3.4. Wage increase 3.4.2. Public sector wage increase 4. Subsidies 4.1. Fuel subsidies 4.1.1. Fuel subsidy 65 Policy category SP Areas SP Category SP Sub-category 4.1.2. Price control (fuel) 4.2.1. Food subsidy 4.2. Food subsidies 4.2.2. Price control (food) 4.3.1. Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies 4.3. Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies 4.3.2. Price control (fertilizers) 4.3.3. Changes regulation in using fertilizers 4.4.1. Education (fee waivers/vouchers) 4.4.2. Health (fee waivers/vouchers) 4.4.3. Housing (rent support) 4.4.4. Utility discount (e.g., Water, electricity, heating, cooking gas) 4.4.5. Transportation 4.4. Fees subsidies 4.4.6. Money transaction fees 4.4.7. Mortgages and other loans 4.4.8. Exemption/reduction on taxes (VAT, excise duty) 4.4.10. Other 4.4.11. Price control (fees) 4.4.12. Green energy subsidies (e.g., EV subsidies) 5. Trade related measures 5.1.1. Export/import restriction 5.1. Export/import restriction or easing 5.1.2. Export/import easing 6. Tax measures 6.1.1. Income Tax 6.1.2. Property tax 6.1. Direct taxes 6.1.3. Road tax 6.1.4. Others 6.2.1. VAT 6.2.2. Excise duty 6.2. Indirect taxes 6.2.3. Custom duty 6.2.4. others 66 Annex 3. Coverage methodology Coverage definition. Coverage is defined as the number of beneficiaries (individuals) for the highest coverage program in each economy, regardless of the duration of the program (i.e., one-off or multiple). One limitation of this definition is that it does not account for the duration of the programs as it does not differentiate between programs that offer only one-off benefits and programs that provide multiple benefits. Coverage calculation. If programs target individuals, then we consider the individuals as the direct beneficiaries. For programs that target households, the analysis considered all households’ members as direct beneficiaries. Therefore, all programs where the beneficiary’s unit is households were converted into individuals to get the direct beneficiaries. Converting households into individuals was done using economies’ average household size acquired from the UN Database on Household Size and Composition. 171 One caveat with this conversion method is that using the average household size of the economy, and not of the program, can overestimate the coverage. Aggregating. To avoid the risk of duplication (counting beneficiaries more than once), only the highest coverage per economy is used. Once the risk of duplication is eliminated and beneficiary units are unified (i.e., all beneficiary units, irrespective of households or individuals are converted into individuals), then they are aggregated at the global level. However, using the highest coverage per economy will result in conservative coverage since beneficiaries of smaller programs are not counted. Illustrative example. The procedure for how coverage is calculated is shown below. Suppose economy A’s highest coverage program is supporting 300 households, and economy B’s highest coverage program is supporting 1000 individuals, with economy A’s average household size being 2, while economy B’s is 3. Type of coverage Calculation Final coverage Coverage for economy A 300 hhs*2 600 individuals Coverage for economy B 1000 ind 1000 individuals Aggregate coverage 1600 individuals Final coverage count. Applying this methodology resulted in over half a billion people being reached by the global response (see table A2.1). Two-thirds of the global coverage (347 million) will be covered by subsidies, while one-third (172.4 million) will be supported through social assistance (mostly cash transfers except for Romania and Slovenia). These figures are conservative given that only the highest coverage per economy is used. Looking at the highest coverage per instrument per economy, social assistance programs reached 367 million in 26 economies, while subsidy programs reached 347 million beneficiaries in 15 economies. However, 6 economies have coverage information on both social assistance and subsidies. 172 In all of these 6 economies, coverage for subsidies was larger, therefore, only the subsidy coverage was included in the aggregate coverage. This is why the sum of the social assistance coverage (367 million) and subsidies coverage (347 million) does not equal 519.4 million. 67 Annex 4. Social assistance and subsidies: descriptive statistics Coverage Coverage (% of Social assistance (individual) Population) EUR300 energy tax-relief payment (Germany) 83240525 100.00% Cash Transfers for Bread (Iran) 75591000 90.00% Emergency Food Security Support law (Iraq) 35000000 87.02% Energy voucher EUR150 (Slovenia) 1751855 83.42% Fuel rebate e-card (Greece) 6300000 58.79% Energy vouchers (France) 38000000 56.39% Electricity Allowance (Poland) 19710664 51.94% EUR200 one-off bonus (Italy) 28641179 48.09% Philippines Targeted Cash Transfer Program (Philippines) 52410601 47.83% Bono Alimentario (Peru) 15759166 47.80% Bono Gas (Dominican Republic) 4869107 44.89% Cash of up to S$500 to eligible adult Singaporeans (Singapore) 2500000 43.97% Bono Chile Apoya de Invierno (Chile) 7500000 39.23% New Relief Package Benazir Income Support Program (Pakistan) 85000000 38.48% TBH800 cash assistance (Thailand) 26500000 37.97% Exceptional aid to neediest families and pensioners (Egypt) 37177718 36.33% Citizen Account Program (Saudi Arabia) 10900000 31.31% Auxílio Brasil (Brazil) 66229796 31.16% Household Support Fund (United Kingdom) 20887034 31.07% BLT minyak goreng (Indonesia) 79697699 29.14% Senegal Direct Cash Aid Program (Senegal) 4763902 28.45% Multiphase one-off Cash transfer (Uzbekistan) 8900000 26.00% Vouchers to Pensioners and vulnerable citizens (Romania) 4700000 24.37% Nigeria National Social Safety Net Program Scale-Up Project 49994572 24.25% (Nigeria) The Familienbeihilfe (Austria) 1800000 20.19% One-time EUR100 to child subsidy beneficiaries (Slovakia) 1100000 20.15% Minimum existence rules (Portugal) 2064733 20.04% Monthly support to the equity card holding poor and vulnerable 3136053 18.76% (Cambodia) One-off for Pensioners (Croatia) 690000 17.05% Quebec $500 one-off CT (Canada) 6400000 16.84% WFP-School meals (Cape Verde) 90000 16.19% Supplementary Budget-Pensions (North Macedonia) 328840 15.78% BRACE (cash to vulnerables) (Tajikistan) 1498285 15.71% Assistance Voucher Programme (Guyana) 121446 15.44% 68 cost-of-living adjustment grant for vulnerable people (Malta) 80000 15.23% Heating Cheques (Denmark) 879900 15.09% Czech Children Assistance Program (Czech Republic) 1600000 14.95% Baxnaano program (Somalia) 2250000 14.16% Cash to Retirees and Pensioners (Argentina) 6100000 13.44% Fuel Subsidy Mechanism (Jordan) 1169000 11.46% After Care Funds (Fiji) 98000 10.93% Climate Smart enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP) (component of Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project) 1961379 10.25% (Malawi) Food assistance to vulnerable people (Djibouti) 93300 9.44% Cash assistance -- AMAN (Lebanon) 632100 9.26% Agri support to agricultural producers (Comoros) 75202 8.65% Beneficio por Inflacion (Costa Rica) 383676 7.53% Middle Class Tax Refund (United States) 23000000 6.98% Elmaouna program (Mauritania) 286700 6.17% One-off EUR200 to low-income owners (Spain) 2700000 5.70% The Social Cash Transfer (Zambia) 1026000 5.58% Uy-bulogo komok (UBK) program (Kyrgyz Republic) 360000 5.46% Burkina Faso Social Safety Net Project (Burkina Faso) 971000 4.65% People in Need Moldova (Moldova) 115552 4.41% Unconditional cash assistance -- Sudan Emergency Safety Nets 1900000 4.33% Project (Sudan) One-off grant to low-wage earners (Israel) 300000 3.25% Agri support to small farmers (Côte d'Ivoire) 800000 3.03% Social Cash Transfers (Liberia) 148372 2.93% Niger Adaptive Safety Net Project (Niger) 692271 2.86% WFP funded food assistance (São Tomé and Principe) 6000 2.74% Health of the people and demographic security (Belarus) 225000 2.39% Cost of Living Support for Emiratis (United Arab Emirates) 198660 2.01% Special Economic Relief Programme (SERP) (Jamaica) 57851 1.95% Programme multisectoriel pour l’apaisement et la réinsertion 214667 1.88% sociale des groupes vulnérables (Haiti) Productive Safety Net Program (Ethiopia) 1400000 1.22% LIPW -- Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project 167000 0.63% (Cameroon) Taxi-Driver One-Off CT (Macao) 4000 0.62% Seed distribution (Burundi) 47500 0.40% Summer Nutrition Program (SUN) (Barbados) 1000 0.35% Student Training grant (Andorra) 249 0.32% 69 Agri support to smallholder farmers (Congo, Dem. Rep.) 116645 0.13% Tea Sector Support Scheme (Mauritius) 1038 0.08% Eat is first program (Colombia) 5879 0.01% Cash-for-work (China) 130000 0.01% Subsidies program Coverage Coverage (% of (in Individuals) Population) Electricity subsidy (Cyprus) 1,238,675 100.00% HK$1,000 electricity subsidy (Hong Kong) 7,936,929 100.00% Electricity price cap (Poland) 47,868,756 100.00% Subsidy for high energy bills (Moldova) 2,591,642 99.00% Energy Bills Support (United Kingdom) 65,712,017 97.76% Electricity subsidy (Romania) 16,003,125 82.98% Fuel Factor Relief Programme (Cayman Islands) 52,580 80.01% Household Utilities Credit (Singapore) 3,949,722 69.47% Energy price subsidy (Estonia) 873,057 65.59% Ehsaas Riyayat Ration Scheme (Pakistan) 136,089,573 61.61% Fortalecimiento del Aporte Social de la Tarifa Eléctrica 10,000,000 59.32% (Guatemala) Energy subsidies (Italy) 29,000,000 48.70% Electricity support subsidy (Jamaica) 1,401,248 47.32% Energy subsidies (Sweden) 4,400,000 42.50% Energy subsidy (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) 47,000 42.36% Fuel Allowance for Employees (France) 26,664,681 39.57% Readecuación de Subsidios (Argentina) 13,000,000 28.65% Social energy tariff (Belgium) 2,323,456 20.11% Agri subsidies (Mali) 2,997,103 14.80% Transporatation subsidies (Uzbekistan) 3,000,000 8.76% Electricity subsidy (St. Lucia) 14,000 7.62% Tarifa Social de Energia Eléctrica - Gas Bottles (Portugal) 762,320 7.40% Fertilizer Support Programme (Zambia) 1,200,000 6.53% Food subsidy program (Bangladesh) 10,000,000 6.07% Housing benefit (Germany) 4,277,623 5.14% Energy saving electronic subsidies (Greece) 511,100 4.77% Heating subsidies (Lithuania) 110,000 3.94% Thermal energy subsidy (Croatia) 159,000 3.93% Housing rent subsidy (Taiwan) 500,000 2.12% Scholarship programs (Spain) 1,000,000 2.11% Fertilizer subsidy (Burundi) 231,849 1.95% Energy bill discount (North Macedonia) 25,900 1.24% Agri subsidies for farmers (Sierra Leone) 67,000 0.84% 70 Subsidies program Coverage Coverage (% of (in Individuals) Population) Childcare subsidies (Israel) 60,000 0.65% farmers' subsidies for autumn crops (Azerbaijan) 44,423 0.44% Adaptation on housing rent (Andorra) 330 0.43% Programme multisectoriel pour l’apaisement et la réinsertion 45,000 0.39% sociale des groupes vulnérables (Haiti) Land Bank (Philippines) 377,000 0.34% Subsidies for solar panel (Albania) 6,599 0.23% Fertiliser subsidy project (Uganda) 33,082 0.07% Fuel assistance program (United States) 57,200 0.02% 71 Annex 5. Coverage of top 10 CT programs & Regional coverage Coverage of top 10 CT programs (as a % of population) €300 energy tax-relief payment (Germany) 100% Cash Transfers for Bread (Iran) 90% Electricity Allowance (Poland) 52% €200 one-off bonus (Italy) 48% Philippines Targeted Cash Transfer Program (Philippines) 48% Bono Alimentario (Peru) 48% Bono Gas (Dominican Republic) 45% Cash of up to S$500 to eligible adult Singaporeans (Singapore) 44% Bono Chile Apoya de Invierno (Chile) 39% New Relief Package Benazir Income Support Program… 38% 0% 50% 100% CT COVERAGE (% OF POP) Coverage of top 10 CT programs (in terms of number of direct individual beneficiaries) New Relief Package Benazir Income Support Program (Pakistan) 85.0 EUR300 energy tax-relief payment (Germany) 83.2 BLT minyak goreng (Indonesia) 79.7 Cash Transfers for Bread (Iran) 75.6 Auxílio Brasil (Brazil) 66.2 Philippines Targeted Cash Transfer Program (Philippines) 52.4 Nigeria National Social Safety Net Program Scale-Up Project… 50.0 EUR200 one-off bonus (Italy) 28.6 THB800 cash assitance (Thailand) 26.5 Middle Class Tax Refund (United States) 23.0 0 50 100 CT COVERAGE (MILLION INDIVIDUALS) 72 Regional coverage (% of population – weighted average by population in the region and simple average) 60% COVERAGE (% OF POPULATION) 45% 40% 35% 36% 34% 33% 30% 30% 30% 28% 18% 19% 15% 13% 8% 9% 6% 7% 7% 0% AFR (N=22) EAP (N=11) SAR (N=2) North LAC (N=16) MENA (N=10) ECA (N=30) Global Total America (N=2) (N=93) Coverage (pop-weighted Average) Coverage (Simple average) Regional coverage (in terms of number of direct individual beneficiaries) 1200 1049.9 COVERAGE (INDIVIDUALS IN MILLIONS) 800 400 338.1 161.4 177.3 122.8 146.1 70.2 34.0 North America AFR (N=22) LAC (N=16) SAR (N=2) MENA (N=10) EAP (N=11) ECA (N=30) Global Total (N=2) (N=93) 73 Annex 6. Spending Labor market Social assistance Social insurance Subsidies Tax measures Grand Total programs Economies $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP Albania 198 1.08% 198 1.08% Andorra 1 0.02% 12 0.35% 12 0.37% Argentina 9000 1.83% 9000 1.83% Australia 34 0.00% 34 0.00% Austria 14158 2.97% 1535 0.32% 15693 3.29% Azerbaijan 13 0.02% 13 0.02% Bangladesh 1880 0.45% 1880 0.45% Barbados 13 0.26% 5 0.11% 18 0.36% Belarus 8 0.01% 8 0.01% Belgium 809 0.13% 2202 0.37% 3011 0.50% Belize 9 0.47% 9 0.47% Benin 144 0.81% 144 0.81% Bermuda 15 0.21% 15 0.21% Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 0.00% 1 0.00% Botswana 54 0.31% 54 0.31% Brazil 17562 1.09% 3200 0.20% 20762 1.29% Bulgaria 726 0.90% 1330 1.66% 2056 2.56% Burkina Faso 8 0.04% 8 0.04% Burundi 5 0.19% 5 0.19% Cambodia 744 2.76% 100 0.37% 844 3.13% Cameroon 152 0.33% 1407 3.11% 1558 3.44% Canada 5704 0.29% 155 0.01% 5859 0.29% Cape Verde 0.00% 0.00% Central African Republic 5 0.21% 5 0.21% Chile 40 0.01% 40 0.01% China 1023 0.01% 14645 0.08% 15506 0.09% 31175 0.18% Colombia 0.00% 0.00% Comoros 6 0.42% 6 0.42% Congo, Dem. Rep. 13 0.02% 300 0.56% 313 0.58% Congo, Rep. 590 4.71% 590 4.71% Costa Rica 32 0.05% 0.00% 32 0.05% 74 Labor market Social assistance Social insurance Subsidies Tax measures Grand Total programs Economies $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP Côte d'Ivoire 182 0.26% 902 1.29% 1084 1.55% Croatia 144 0.21% 31 0.05% 1674 2.47% 918 1.35% 2767 4.08% Curaçao 15 0.60% 15 0.60% Cyprus 2 0.01% 376 1.36% 378 1.36% Czech Republic 360 0.13% 4733 1.68% 5093 1.80% Denmark 376 0.09% 7157 1.80% 76 0.02% 7609 1.92% Djibouti 22 0.65% 22 0.65% Dominican Republic 169 0.18% 332 0.35% 501 0.53% Ecuador 3377 3.18% 3377 3.18% Egypt 710 0.18% 12177 3.01% 12886 3.19% El Salvador 28 0.10% 28 0.10% Estonia 323 0.89% 323 0.89% Ethiopia 38 0.03% 38 0.03% Finland 487 0.16% 487 0.16% France 5659 0.19% 28090 0.96% 33749 1.15% Gambia, The 36 1.73% 36 1.73% Georgia 6 0.03% 6 0.03% Germany 17647 0.42% 6490 0.15% 3882 0.09% 28019 0.66% Ghana 98 0.13% 98 0.13% Greece 1063 0.49% 710 0.33% 4377 2.02% 1758 0.81% 7908 3.66% Grenada 1 0.13% 1 0.13% Guatemala 6 0.01% 162 0.19% 168 0.20% Guyana 9 0.12% 9 0.12% Hong Kong 1544 0.42% 360 0.10% 1904 0.52% Iceland 9 0.03% 110 0.43% 8 0.03% 127 0.50% India 42344 1.33% 42344 1.33% Indonesia 4294 0.36% 2216 0.19% 6510 0.55% Iran 10000 4.32% 10000 4.32% Iraq 3852 1.85% 3852 1.85% Ireland 3073 0.62% 471 0.09% 3544 0.71% Israel 77 0.02% 46 0.01% 1474 0.31% 1597 0.33% Italy 7665 0.37% 22 0.00% 1194 0.06% 9059 0.43% 17939 0.85% Jamaica 28 0.20% 3 0.02% 14 0.10% 45 0.33% Japan 72890 1.48% 111157 2.25% 184047 3.73% 75 Labor market Social assistance Social insurance Subsidies Tax measures Grand Total programs Economies $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP Jordan 42 0.09% 42 0.09% Kenya 1385 1.26% 1385 1.26% Kyrgyz Republic 18 0.20% 18 0.20% Latvia 195 0.50% 195 0.50% Lebanon 220 1.22% 220 1.22% Lesotho 12 0.48% 12 0.48% Liberia 45 1.28% 45 1.28% Lithuania 125 0.19% 687 1.05% 121 0.18% 933 1.42% Macao 6 0.02% 6 0.02% Madagascar 100 0.68% 100 0.68% Malawi 156 1.24% 156 1.24% Malaysia 166 0.04% 4900 1.31% 7192 1.93% 12259 3.29% Mali 99 0.52% 99 0.52% Malta 21 0.12% 77 0.45% 97 0.57% Mauritania 12 0.14% 12 0.14% Mauritius 0.00% 5 0.05% 5 0.05% Moldova 12 0.09% 12 0.09% Morocco 1750 1.32% 1750 1.32% Netherlands 8845 0.87% 28253 2.78% 6033 0.59% 43130 4.24% Niger 67 0.45% 13 0.08% 80 0.53% Nigeria 800 0.18% 11148 2.53% 11948 2.71% North Macedonia 31 0.22% 14 0.10% 1 0.01% 471 3.39% 517 3.72% Norway 24 0.01% 3718 0.77% 3742 0.78% Oman 845 0.98% 845 0.98% Pakistan 1672 0.48% 11 0.00% 1683 0.49% Panama 200 0.31% 200 0.31% Paraguay 4 0.01% 4 0.01% Peru 368 0.16% 368 0.16% Philippines 106 0.03% 178 0.05% 285 0.07% Poland 1036 0.15% 6344 0.94% 37083 5.50% 6473 0.96% 50936 7.56% Portugal 3652 1.46% 1561 0.62% 130 0.05% 1 0.00% 5345 2.14% Romania 544 0.19% 544 0.19% Rwanda 36 0.33% 54 0.48% 90 0.81% São Tomé and Principe 0.05% 0.05% 76 Labor market Social assistance Social insurance Subsidies Tax measures Grand Total programs Economies $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of $ % of million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP million GDP Saudi Arabia 2208 0.26% 532 0.06% 2740 0.33% Senegal 223 0.81% 180 0.65% 403 1.46% Sierra Leone 2 0.05% 2 0.05% Singapore 4 0.00% 4 0.00% Slovakia 117 0.10% 356 0.31% 1000 0.87% 1473 1.28% Slovenia 351 0.57% 35 0.06% 386 0.63% Somalia 143 1.96% 143 1.96% South Africa 406 0.10% 406 0.10% Spain 639 0.04% 11765 0.83% 7946 0.56% 20349 1.43% Sri Lanka 86 0.10% 86 0.10% St. Lucia 2 0.12% 2 0.09% 15 0.86% 19 1.07% St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0.01% 0.01% Sudan 76 0.22% 76 0.22% Sweden 979 0.16% 1679 0.27% 536 0.09% 3195 0.51% Taiwan 1071 0.14% 1071 0.14% Tajikistan 150 1.72% 150 1.72% Tanzania 109 0.16% 52 0.08% 161 0.24% Thailand 857 0.17% 4048 0.80% 94 0.02% 4999 0.99% Togo 21 0.25% 41 0.48% 134 1.59% 195 2.32% Turkey 11299 1.39% 11299 1.39% Turks and Caicos Islands 12 1.27% 12 1.27% United Arab Emirates 7600 2.12% 7600 2.12% United Kingdom 16505 0.52% 696 0.02% 6877 0.22% 24078 0.76% United States 19275 0.08% 1540 0.01% 3039 0.01% 23854 0.10% Uzbekistan 578 0.83% 64 0.09% 17 0.03% 191 0.28% 849 1.23% Zambia 170 0.80% 170 0.80% 77 Annex 7. Regional and income level average spending share of GDP Social protection and labor spending by region (% of GDP) 1.60% 1.42% 1.41% 1.2% 1.1% SPENDING (% OF GDP) 1.20% 1.1% 1.0% 1.05% 1.05% 0.91% 0.8% 0.7% 0.80% 0.6% 0.59% 0.57% 0.40% 0.20% 0.1% 0.00% AFR (N=34) EAP (N=12) ECA (N=39) LAC (N=21) MENA (N=12) North America SAR (N=4) Global average (N=3) (N=125) Spending (% of GDP -- simple average) Spending ( % of GDP -- weighted by total regional GDP) Social protection and labor spending by region (% of GDP) 10% 9% 8% 7.56% 7.56% 7% Spending (% of GDP) 6% 4.71% 5% 4.32% 3.73% 4% 3.18% 3% 2% 1.33% 0.29% 1.42% 1.41% 1% 0.91% 1.05% 1.05% 0.57% 0.20% 0.59% 0.00% 0.09% 0.10% 0.10% 0.00% 0% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% AFR (68) EAP (40) ECA (164) LAC (49) MNA (27) North America (27) SAR (7) Grand Total (382) 78 Social assistance and subsidies spending by region (% of GDP) 1.20% 1.11% 1.07% 0.97% 0.91% 0.83% 0.80% 0.61% 0.59% 0.54% 0.53% 0.48% 0.48% 0.47% 0.46% 0.44% 0.40% 0.19% 0.01% 0.00% AFR EAP ECA LAC MNA North America SAR Grand Total Social assistance Subsidies Social protection and labor spending by income group (% of GDP) 1.25% 1.24% 1.07% 1.05% 1.05% SPENDING (% OF GDP) 1.00% 0.89% 0.86% 0.78% 0.74% 0.75% 0.50% 0.40% 0.29% 0.25% 0.00% LIC (n=17) UMIC (n=31) HIC (n=44) LMIC (n=33) Global (n=125) Spending (% of GDP -- simple average) Spending ( % of GDP -- weighted by total income-group GDP) Social protection and labor spending by income group (% of GDP) 79 10% 7.56% 7.56% 8% Spending (% of GDP) 4.71% 5% 4.32% 2.32% 3% 1.25% 0.79% 1.03% 0.91% 1.05% 0.03% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0% 0.00% LIC (35) LMIC (74) UMIC (80) HIC (193) Grand Total (382) Social assistance and subsidies spending by income group (% of GDP) 1.00% 0.91% 0.91% 0.83% 0.75% 0.71% 0.67% 0.62% 0.58% 0.54% 0.53% 0.50% 0.44% 0.25% 0.00% HIC LIC LMIC UMIC Grand Total Social assistance Subsidies 80 Annex 8. Methodology for adequacy calculation Adequacy is derived by comparing cash transfers from each economy with the 2019 median income or expenditure. Direct and indirect transfers are provided in various durations (e.g., one-off, daily, monthly). Therefore, for the analysis to be comparable and given that the median income/expenditure is available in daily rates, cash transfers were converted into daily rates. For example, if a program provides benefits monthly, it is divided by 30 to get the daily rate. The same rule applies to other duration frequencies (e.g., bi-monthly and quarterly). When a program provides a one-off benefit, it was considered bi-monthly given that the average transfers for the one-off were double that of monthly. In this case, the transfer is divided by 60 to get the daily rate. One caveat is that the median income is adjusted for price changes over time (inflation) and price differences between economies (expressed in international $). In contrast, the transfers are all converted using normal exchange rates. The exchange rates used are “National currency per U.S. Dollar, end of period 2021” from the IMF’s International Financial Statistics (IFS) database 173 and UN Operational Rates of Exchange database. 174 Finally, median income/expenditure is acquired from Our World in Data database. 81 Annex 9. Adaptations of cash transfer measures Country Program name Adaptation type Albania Economic benefits for families in 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) need Andorra Student Training grant 2.2.Horizontal expansion & admin simplification Angola Kwenda 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Argentina Prestación Alimentar 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Bermuda Food allowance program 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Brazil Auxílio Brasil 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion Brazil Auxílio Gás dos Brasileiro 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Burkina Faso Burkina Faso Social Safety Net Project 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion Cambodia Monthly support to the equity card 4.1.Admin simplification (flexible time of holding poor and vulnerable collection, postponement of recertification, etc.) Canada British Columbia Family Benefit 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Cape Verde Social Inclusion Income 2.5.Horizontal expansion (new targeted multiple payments) Côte d'Ivoire Housing allowance 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion Côte d'Ivoire Transport and family allowance 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Côte d'Ivoire Family allowance 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Croatia Cash to vulnerable energy consumers 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion Croatia Housing, communal fees, heating and 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) water services Croatia Scholarship program 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion Czech Republic Contribution for housing 4.1.Admin simplification (flexible time of collection, postponement of recertification, etc.) Czech Republic Living and subsistence minimum 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Denmark Heating Cheques 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion Dominican Republic Alimentate (component of Superate 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion program) Dominican Republic Bono Gas 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion Egypt Takafol and Karama 2.1.Horizontal expansion (Existing programs) Estonia Child benefits 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Estonia Family benefits 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Estonia Single parent allowance 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Ethiopia Productive Safety Net Program 2.1.Horizontal expansion (Existing programs) Finland Private day care allowance 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Finland Child increase 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Finland Basic amount of social assistance for 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) children Finland Provider supplements 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Finland Housing allowance for pensioners 2.1.Horizontal expansion (Existing programs) Finland Meal allowance for students 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) 82 Country Program name Adaptation type Finland Single-parent supplement 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) France Active solidarity income (RSA) 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) France Activity bonus to low-income 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) workers. Germany Payments for poor children 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Germany One-time heating cost allowance 2.3.Horizontal expansion (new targeted one- off) Germany Child maintenance allowance 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Germany Child benefits 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Ireland Christmas Bonus 4.3.Advanced payment Ireland Children Income 1.2.Vertical expansion (one-off) Ireland One-off double monthly payment for 1.2.Vertical expansion (one-off) SUSI maintenance grant beneficiaries Jamaica Special Economic Relief Programme 1.2.Vertical expansion (one-off) (SERP) Kosovo Social Assistance payments 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Kyrgyz Republic Uy-bulogo komok (UBK) program 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Liberia REALISE Project 2.1.Horizontal expansion (Existing programs) Liberia Social Cash Transfers 2.5.Horizontal expansion (new targeted multiple payments) Malawi Social Support for Resilient 2.1.Horizontal expansion (Existing programs) Livelihoods Project - SCTP Malawi Social Support for Resilient 2.1.Horizontal expansion (Existing programs) Livelihoods Project CT Malawi Social Support for Resilient 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion Livelihoods Project for shock responsive safety nets Malaysia Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) Time extension Malaysia Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) Time extension Malaysia Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) Time extension Malaysia Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Mauritania Elmaouna program 2.1.Horizontal expansion (Existing programs) Malta Carers Grant 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Malta Rent benefit 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Malta Child allowance 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Malta Student annual stipend 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Netherlands Healthcare allowance 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Netherlands Child allowances 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Netherlands Subsidy for higher education 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) students Niger Niger Adaptive Safety Net Project 2.1.Horizontal expansion (Existing programs) Nigeria Nigeria National Social Safety Net 2.1.Horizontal expansion (Existing programs) Program Scale-Up Project Norway Housing allowance 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion Pakistan BRACE - BISP 2.1.Horizontal expansion (Existing programs) 83 Country Program name Adaptation type Peru Juntos 1.2.Vertical expansion (one-off) Peru Pensión 65 1.2.Vertical expansion (one-off) Peru Contigo 1.2.Vertical expansion (one-off) Portugal Social Support Index (IAS) 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Portugal Child Benefit 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Portugal Minimum existence rules 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Singapore GSTV – Cash Special Payment 1.2.Vertical expansion (one-off) Singapore Pre-University Bursary 1.2.Vertical expansion (one-off) Slovakia Child allowances 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Somalia Baxnaano program 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion South Africa SASSA Social Relief of Distress Grant 4.1.Admin simplification (flexible time of collection, postponement of recertification, etc.) South Africa Child support grants (CSG) 1.3.Vertical expansion & admin simplification Sri Lanka Samurdhi program 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) St. Kitts and Nevis Income and Disabilities Support Time extension program Sweden Climate bonus 44.1.Admin simplification (flexible time of collection, postponement of recertification, etc.) Sweden Extra child allowance 1.2.Vertical expansion (one-off) Sweden Housing supplement 1.2.Vertical expansion (one-off) United Kingdom Winter Fuel Payment 4.1.Admin simplification (flexible time of collection, postponement of recertification, etc.) United Kingdom Universal Credit taper 14.1.Admin simplification (flexible time of collection, postponement of recertification, etc.) Uruguay Asignaciones Familiares-Plan de 1.1.Vertical expansion (multiple payments) Equidad and Tarjeta Social Uruguay Zambia The Social Cash Transfer 3.1.Horizontal expansion & vertical expansion 84 Annex 10. Classification of trade measures, by restrictions type Export/import restriction Economy Commodity category Restricted items Type of restriction Afghanistan 1. Food Wheat 1. Ban Sugar, pasta, oil, semolina Algeria 1. Food and all wheat derivatives 1. Ban Argentina 1. Food Beef meat 2. Quota Soyabean meal and Argentina 1. Food soyabean oil 1. Ban Soyabean meal and Argentina 1. Food soyabean oil 3. Tax increase Flour-grinding industry goods, starch, wheat gluten, oilseeds and other 4. Restriction in the form of additional seeds, medicinal and permission (e.g., license requirement, Azerbaijan 1. Food industrial crops, and feeds inspection, etc.) 4. Restriction in the form of additional permission (e.g., license requirement, Bangladesh 1. Food Aromatic rice inspection, etc.) 4. Restriction in the form of additional permission (e.g., license requirement, Bulgaria 1. Food oil products inspection, etc.) Millet flour, corn flour, Burkina Faso 1. Food sorghum flour 1. Ban Cameroon 1. Food Cereal, vegetable oil 1. Ban Chad 1. Food Cereals and groundnuts 1. Ban 4. Restriction (additional permission requirement, letter requirement, China 2. Fertilizers Fertilizers inspection, etc.) Plantain banana, yams, local rice, cassava and its derivatives (e.g., Attiéké), 4. Restriction (additional permission and maize and its requirement, letter requirement, Côte d'Ivoire 1. Food derivatives. inspection, etc.) Lentils, pasta, wheat, flour, fava beans, Egypt 1. Food vegetable oil, and corn 1. Ban Ghana 1. Food Maize, soybean, and rice 1. Ban Georgia 1. Food Wheat and barley 1. Ban Wheat, rye, barley, oats, 4. Restriction in the form of additional corn, soybeans, and permission (e.g., license requirement, Hungary 1. Food sunflower seed inspection, etc.) Wheat, Wheat flour, India 1. Food Maida, semolina. 1. Ban India 1. Food Sugar 2. Quota Tomatoes, potatoes, Iran 1. Food eggplants, and onions 1. Ban Ice, sugar, dried milk, dry 4. Restriction in the form of additional legumes, fodder, wheat permission (e.g., license requirement, Jordan 1. Food and by-products, flour, inspection, etc.) 85 fodder maize, fodder concentrates, as well as ghee and vegetable oils of all kinds (corn oil, sunflower oil, palm oil and soybean oil). Wheat and wheat flour, and Sunflower by- Kazakhstan 1. Food products 2. Quota Sugar (white and cane), Kazakhstan 1. Food and Live cattle 1. Ban Wheat, corn, flour, vegetable oil, salt, and Kosovo 1. Food sugar 1. Ban Grains, Vegetable oils, Kuwait 1. Food Chicken meat 1. Ban Mineral fertilizers Kyrgyz Republic 2. Fertilizers 1. Ban Wheat and meslin, wheat flour, rice, macaroni products, vegetable oils, eggs, sugar and almost all types of feed for Kyrgyz Republic 1. food agricultural animals. 1. Ban Fruits and vegetables, milled grain products, Lebanon 1. Food sugar, and bread 1. Ban Libya 1. Food All types of fish 1. Ban Malaysia 1. Food Chickens 1. Ban Mali 1. Food Cereals, including rice, 1. Ban maize, millet and sorghum Mexico 1. Food; 3. Other White corn, beans, 1. Ban sardines, and aluminum and steel scrap metal 4. Restriction in the form of additional permission (e.g., license requirement, Moldova 1. Food Wheat, corn, and sugar inspection, etc.) 4. Restriction in the form of additional permission (e.g., license requirement, Morocco 1. Food Tomato inspection, etc.) Beetroot, butternut, cabbage, English cucumber, colored pepper, green pepper, onion, pumpkin, sweet 4. Restriction in the form of additional potato, and round and jam permission (e.g., license requirement, Namibia 1. Food tomatoes. inspection, etc.) wheat, barley, corn, wheat North Macedonia 1. Food flour 1. Ban Pakistan 1. Food Sugar 1. Ban 86 Serbia 1. Food Wheat, corn, flour, and oil 1. Ban Sudan 1. Food Wheat 1. Ban Food items include garlic, onions, potatoes, butter, oils, eggs, among other Syria 1. Food products. 1. Ban Tunisia 1. Food Fruits and vegetables 1. Ban Grains, oilseeds, cooking oil, shipments, margarine, red lentils, and dry beans, and a few other Turkey 1. Food agricultural commodities 1. Ban Cattle, sheep and goat Turkey 1. Food meat 2. Quota Maize, soybeans, rice, and Uganda 1. Food wheat 3. Tax increase Vegetable oils and oilseeds, including cottonseed oil and 4. Restriction in the form of additional sunflower oil, sunflower permission (e.g., license requirement, Uzbekistan 1. Food seed and other oilseeds inspection, etc.) Vietnam 2. Fertilizers Fertilizers 3. Tax increase Export/import easing Economy Commodity category Restricted items Type of restriction Salt, sugar, flour (buckwheat flour, wheat flour), certain types of cereals (buckwheat, rice, semolina, oats, oat flakes, Belarus 1. Food millet). 2. Quota 6. Removal of Restriction in the form wheat, rice, sugar, edible of additional permission (e.g., license Ethiopia 1. Food oils, and instant baby milk requirement, inspection, etc.) 4. Restriction in the form of additional permission (e.g., license requirement, Indonesia 1. Food Palm oil inspection, etc.) Iraq 1. Food Food and medicine 5. Removal of restriction Kazakhstan 1. Food Potatoes, and carrots 2. Quota 6. Removal of Restriction in the form maize grain and raw of additional permission (e.g., license Kenya 1. Food materials for animal feeds requirement, inspection, etc.) North Macedonia 1. Food Sunflower oil 5. Removal of restriction non-essential and luxury Pakistan 3. Others items 5. Removal of restriction South Korea 2. Fertilizers Urea 5. Removal of restriction Turkey 1. Food Butter, Olive oil 5. Removal of restriction sugar, milk powder, infants milk formula, petroleum jelly, bath 6. Removal of Restriction in the form soap, laundry bar and of additional permission (e.g., license Zambia 1. Food; 3. Others washing powder requirement, inspection, etc.) 87 Annex 11. Measures by countries and territories Afghanistan Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Market Labor market regulations Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction May 20, 2022, Afghanistan has banned export of wheat to other countries. 175 Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 88 Albania Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On March 12, 2022, the government of Albania has allocated an additional amount of $5 million to increase its tax-free oil support scheme to over 1.4 billion lek or $14 million for farmers throughout the country under the most recent Social Resistance Package. For a second consecutive year, farmers cultivating wheat, corn, maize, beans, sunflower, oats, rye, aromatic-medicinal plants, etc benefit from tax-free oil under the government’s subsidies scheme. [September 8, 2022] The government also plans to increase financial support for farmers by providing tax-free oil. 176, 177 Fees subsidies On March 12, 2022, to support public transportation in the country, Subsidies Albania will allocate 500 million Albanian lek to pay for the differences in ticket prices, so that the ticket prices for the citizens do not change. 178 On March 12, 2022, Albania will add 20 billion Albanian lek to the financing which goes to the payment of electricity bills for households and small businesses. 179 On September 8, 2022, the Governement announced to increase the energy support for the blind, paraplegic and tetraplegic. 180 [October 2022] The government has launched the first stage of a process to help households install solar panels to heat water, thus helping keep energy costs low for lower-income families. The Ministry would cover 70% of the cost for 2,000 families to equip their homes with solar thermal connectors. 181 On March 12, 2022, the government will compensate 3,000 Albanian lek monthly for three months in a row as a compensation for all Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers retirees, vulnerable groups and those who benefit from the economic scheme that receive less than the minimum wage. 182, 183 89 On September 8, 2022, the Government announced a new package of measures, including a 10% increase in economic benefits for families in need with an extra boost for women-headed households with two or more children. 184 [August 2022] Albanian farmers who grow wheat on their land will receive financial assistance to the tune of 30,000 ALL (€256) per hectare in a bid to stimulate local production as prices rise, causing many bakeries to shutter. 185 Conditional cash transfers On September 8, 2022, the Government announced a new package of Social pensions measures, including a 7.5% indexation increase in disability payments. 186, 187 Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance On March 12, 2022, the government allocated 3.6 billion Albanian lek (around 32 million U.S. dollars) to index all pensions nationwide. The measure is effective for all pensioners starting from April. [September 8, 2022] Pensions are being re-indexed to the new inflation rate, Social Insurance Pensions bringing the annual indexation to 9.5%. 188, 189, 190 [September 2022] Other measures unveiled by the government include a review of pensions which will be adjusted by 6%. 191 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Market Labor market regulations Wage subsidies 90 Starting from April, the minimum wage in the country will increase to 32,000 Albanian lek from the current minimum wage of 30,000 Albanian lek. [Update] On September 8, 2022, the Government Wage increase announced a new package of measures, including an increase in the minimum wage to ALL34,000 (€290). 192, 193 On September 8, 2022, the Government announced a new package of measures, including pay rises for the police and civil servants. 194 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Starting from April, Albania will implement the law which stipulates the zero tax for salaries up to 40,000 Albanian lek, halving the tax for Direct tax salaries up to 50,000 Albanian lek, and reducing the tax for salaries Tax from 150,000 to 200,000 Albanian lek. 360,000 employees across the country will benefit from it. 195 Indirect tax 91 Algeria Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On 13 March 2022, Algeria imposed ban on exports of all consumer Trade Export/import restriction products that Algeria imports, including sugar, pasta, oil, semolina and all wheat derivatives. 196 92 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax On February 13, 2022, Algerian abolished/freezes taxes, fees and other Indirect tax on certain food items until further notice. 197 93 Andorra Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies April 30, 2022, Andorra has approved an extraordinary budget of 1.5 million euros for the Renova Plan. This aims to subsidies the switch to more efficient heating systems, installation of photovoltaic solar panels and the replacement of windows. It will be awarded though a bidding process and is for residential dwellings, where 70% of the dwellings are the primary residence, either owned or rented, with a maximum surface area of 130m2. 198 April 30, 2022, Andorra made criteria for accessing housing aid more flexible, as applications may now be submitted after 3 years of residence, whereas before it was 5 years. [2 June 2022] The income Subsidies ceiling to be able to apply for the aid goes from 1.2 to 1.3 times the personal or family Economic Threshold of Social Cohesion (LECS). It is also foreseen to increase the percentage of participation of the aid in the amount of the monthly income from 35% to 40% for priority groups, and from 30% to 35% for the rest of the population. The new criteria with the LECS will allow that 65 families can now access the aid, plus another one hundred that will also be able to access the new call for applications. In total, the Andorran Government has granted 1,471 rental subsidies for a little more than 3 million euros, 7.16% more than the amount stipulated for last year. 199, 200 On April 30, 2022, Andorra created a free monthly season ticket for all residents and to lower the price of school transport to benefit more families. This will promote mobility and encourage citizens to use public transport over private. 201 [April 2022] Training grants are intended for students in both higher and compulsory education. The associated text proposed to increase income so that more students could benefit from them. [2 June 2022] Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers With regard to education aid, Andorra has increased the subsidy thresholds for compulsory and higher education. 18,720, which will result in an additional expenditure of 176,000 Euros for the 94 Administration to benefit 210 students in expenses for materials, meals, school transport and extracurricular skiing, and maintenance and registration for the necessary studies outside the Principality. As for higher education, the aid threshold increases from 16,502 to 18,720 euros, which implies an additional budget of 273,000 euros and the possibility of benefiting 39 more student. 202, 203 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [June 2022] Social security pensions with monthly amounts below the minimum inter-professional wage will be increased by 3.67% from 1 June. This relates to retirement pensions, widows’ and widowers’ pensions, disability pensions due to non-occupational and occupational Social Insurance Pensions accidents, and pensions for common or occupational illnesses, and will be applied when the individual concerned has contributed for at least 25 years. The law also stresses that the total cost will not be assumed by social security but by the Andorran government, so as not to affect the CASS (Andorran Social Security Fund) pension system. 204 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase [June 2022] The first major governmental social measure is to increase the lowest salaries, the cost of which will be borne by employers. The 95 government has introduced a statutory increase for salaries below the average figure of €27,130.44 per year. The increase is 3.3%, which corresponds to the CPI for December 2021. It came into effect from 1 June and is intended for employees who did not receive this wage increase in the last 12 months. 205 [May 2022] The minimum wage has also been raised to €1,200 per month. This change represents an increase of 7% in 4 months, thanks to the annual increase in January, corresponding to the CPI in December (3.3%), and a second in April (+3.67%). It was implemented in May as an emergency measure. Indirectly, wage increases have an impact on other social security contributions and the recovery of taxes. 206 [28 October 2022] The Government called a meeting to address the current situation of the labor market, taking into account the inflation, and to agree on measures related to the wage increase of the workers for next year. During the meeting, both the unions and the employers have established that there may be an agreement between the parties as regards the increase that could be applied to the minimum wage next year linked to the CPI, provided that this CPI is at a level of 5%. 207 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax On April 30, 2022, Andorra announced that General Indirect Tax (IGI; Indirect tax also known as VAT) on baby-related items such as nappies and feminine hygiene products is being reduced from 4.5% to 1%. 208 96 Angola Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies In 2022, the government proposed an increase in the value of the cash transfer program "Kwenda" to account for inflation from 8,500 kz to Unconditional cash transfers 11,000 (US$18.2) per month per beneficiary household. The increase in the benefit value is still to be implemented.209 Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Angola, on May 24, 2022, announced that it would increase pensions Social Insurance Pensions by 10%. With, this adjustment, the minimum penison would be fixed at 48,272 Kwanzas and the max will be 607,874. 210 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 97 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Angola, on December 14, 2021, announced reduction of the Value Indirect tax Added Tax (VAT) rate, from 14% to 7% for consumer goods (certain food products). 211, 212, 213 98 Anguilla (UK) Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax 99 On April 28, 2020, the Ministry of Finance announced the removal of Indirect tax excise taxes on fuel imports for a duration of 6 months. The excise tax was EC$0.35 per liter. 214 100 Antigua and Barbuda Fuel subsidies On March 18th, a new fuel subsidy went into effect that would reduce the cost of fuel for registered fisherman and those in the public transportation industry (primarily bus and taxi drivers). It is intended to reduce the cost of fuel for these individuals by up to 25% and therefore keep the costs of fish and public transportation low for the general consumer. This measure has a duration of 30 days with the Subsidies option to extend by the Cabinet. For bus drivers this is an adaptation from a similar subsidy implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. 215, 216 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 101 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 102 Argentina Fuel subsidies Argentina's energy subsidies are expected to rise in 2022. These include subsidies for gas, along with electricity. Energy subsidies made up 2.3% of GDP in 2021 and are now expected to be 3% of GDP in 2022; or from USD $11 billion in 2021 to an estimated USD $20 billion in 2022. 217 Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Argentina's energy subsidies are expected to rise in 2022. These include subsidies for electricity, along with gas. Energy subsidies made up 2.3% of GDP in 2021 and are now expected to be 3% of GDP in 2022; or from USD $11 billion in 2021 to an estimated USD $20 billion in 2022. 218 On April 6, 2022, the government announced an increase of 50% to the existing cash transfer program aimed at low-income families to help buy food under the Alimentar program. Before the announced increase, the program made a monthly deposit to a special Alimentar card for each qualified family of between 9,000 and 18,000 pesos (roughly USD $76 and $153) depending on the number of children in the family. This amount will now increase by 50%. 219 On October 18th, the government announced a new food booster aid would be handed out to the most vulnerable population who do not already receive state aid to help with the rising cost of food. This will Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers be a two time cash transfer of 22,500 pesos each, for a total of 45,000 pesos. The first payment is set to be handed out on November 14th and the second date has not been announced yet. So far 514,000 people have signed up for this cash transfer. 220, 221 On August 11th, the government announced a monthly cash transfer for retirees and pensioners to go along with the announced vertical expansion. This monthly cash transfer was set to last for three months, from September to November. The maximum transfer amount is 7,000 pesos and the minimum is 4,000 pesos. This is a measure will reach almost 6.1 million retirees and pensioners. 222 103 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance On August 11th, the government announced a vertical expansion to the existing pension payments for old age and retired pensioners. This Social Insurance Pensions increase will be 15.53% for all pensioners, reaching roughly 16 million people. This was expected to begin taking effect in September. 223 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) On August 22nd, the government announced a new timetable for increasing the monthly minimum wage. Starting on September 1st, the Labor market regulations new minimum wage will increase by 7% to $51,200 (Argentine peso). Labor Market In October it will increase again to $54,550 and in November to $57,900. 224, 225 Wage subsidies Wage increase On January 3, 2022, Argentina has imposed a two-year restriction (in the form of quota) on beef exports. It announced a limitation on the export of seven cuts (body parts) of meat in fresh, chilled or frozen form until the end of December 2023. 226 Trade Export/import restriction On March 13, 2022, Argentina has banned exports of soybean meal and soybean oil until further notice. 227, 228 104 March 19, 2022, Argentina has raised the export tax rate on soy oil and meal by two percentage points, thereby making it 33% until the end of the year in measure to combat domestic inflation. 229, 230 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 105 Armenia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, Assistance vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social [July 2022] Government officials have said that pensions will also rise next year. But Pensions Insurance they have not yet specified the extent of the promised increase.231 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies [July 2022] The Government decided to raise the national minimum wage by 10 Wage increase percent, to 75,000 drams ($182). The measure will take effect in January 2023.232 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 106 Aruba Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On April 14, the government announced an expansion of price controls on a variety of Subsidies products, primarily food products. 233, 234 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 107 Australia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Electric vehicle subsidies extended in Victoria. A further $7.2 million has been allocated to increase the uptake of electric cars in Victoria.235 Subsidies On July 1, 2022, Queensland has become the latest Australian state to announce a subsidy on electric vehicles, as the price of petrol hits new highs. The Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme will provide a rebate of $3,000 for eligible new Zero Emission Vehicles priced under $58,000 and purchased after 16 March 2022. The policy kicked off on July 1st. This will cost $45 million scheme. 236 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 108 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 109 Austria Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On August 2, 2022, Austria’s federal government announced the first of many one-off payments to cushion the effects of rising inflation in the country. A €180 per child “special family payment” is ready to be sent out to families in Austria, according to ÖVP government members. As of August 3rd, the finance offices will transfer the amount per child “directly to the account” of families. The Familienbeihilfe is a social benefit paid monthly to every child resident in Austria until they turn 24 – with some exceptions. The amount depends on the child’s age but can reach €165.10 monthly for one child. Furthermore, since every child is registered for this benefit, the bonus payment can be made automatically. 237 On July 14, 2022, the Austrian government presented a 6-billion-euro anti-inflation package. The package includes short-term measures that Unconditional cash transfers will provide immediate relief to the population and long-term Social Assistance structural changes. In September, 300 euros will be paid to low- income people, such as welfare recipients, the unemployed, and minimum pensioners. 238 On July 14, 2022, as part of the 6 billion Euros package, in parallel with the introduction of the CO2 price, 250 euros in climate bonus plus another 250 euros in the cost-of-living compensation will flow in October. This means that all adults living in Austria will receive 500 euros. According to the latest source, all adults who have residence in Austria for 6 months and make less than 90,000 Euros a year, will receive 500 Euros. Update: On 20 October, 2022. After seven weeks of payments, the first round of Austria's Klimabonus (a climate and anti-inflation payment) scheme is now complete with €4 billion paid out to residents. 239, 240, 241 Conditional cash transfers 110 Social pensions On Feb 25, 2022, Austria announced it will issue one-off payments aimed at offsetting rising inflation costs in the country. Almost every Austrian who earns no more than €5,670 per month will receive a voucher for €150 euros to cushion the increased energy bill. Unconditional in-kind transfers Pensioners on minimum incomes, long-term recipients of sickness and (food, vouchers, others) rehabilitation benefits, the unemployed and unemployment assistance recipients will receive €150. Separately, households that receive minimum income or social assistance and students with study grants will receive €300. For retired people receiving supplementary allowances, there will be two payments of €150. 242 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing On March 21, 2022, Austria has unveiled a €2 billion relief package to fight rising cost of living. The package includes a 50 percent increase in the commuter allowance and an increase in the “commuter euro,” Tax Direct tax which reduces income tax levies by €2 per kilometer distance between the place of residence and workplace. These should cost €400 million. 243 111 On March 20, 2022, Austria increases energy subsidies to offset high gas prices. Austria announced energy subsidies worth 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion), including tax cuts and employee compensation, in an Indirect tax effort to ease the burden of rising costs on the economy. The latest measures include a 90% cut to natural gas and electricity tariffs through mid-2023, at a cost of 900 million euros. 244 112 Azerbaijan Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On April 20, 2022, Agrarian Credit and Development Agency under the Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture paid subsidies in the amount of 21.6 million manat ($12.7 million) to 44,423 farmers for autumn crops on April 19, 2022. 245 Subsidies On July 19, 2022, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture announced that it will provide additional subsidies to farmers. A meeting on the implementation of Azerbaijani President's decree "On number of measures to increase level of self-provision with food wheat" dated July 19, 2022, was held at the Baku Business Center, Trend reports via the Ministry of Agriculture. The exact amount on the subsidy is yet to be announced. 246 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies 113 Wage increase On March 19, 2022, Azerbaijan has put in place a temporary regulation on the grain export through the customs territory of Azerbaijan until December 31, 2022. The restriction is imposed on the export of flour-grinding industry goods, starch, wheat Export/import restriction Trade gluten, oilseeds and other seeds, medicinal and industrial crops, feed. Customs officers will be permitted to release grain crops with an authorization letter from the Economy Ministry. 247 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 114 Bahamas, The Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On October 12th, the government announced price controls on 38 key staples, mainly food products. This measure will limit price increases to 15% for wholesalers and 25% Subsidies for retailers. This measure is set to last for 6 months. 248 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies On October 12th, the government announced an increase to the minimum wage from Wage increase $210 a week to $260 a week, a 24% increase which begins retroactively in July for public sector workers and will begin in January, 2023 for private sector workers. 249 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing 115 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 116 Bahrain Subsidies Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On April 3, 2022, Bahrain announced that it would closely monitor the prices of all food products in the local markets to ensure there is no price rise during the Holy month of Ramadan. The prices of all basic food products including fruits and vegetables are being monitored. 250 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Social Insurance Paid sick leave Health insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 117 Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 118 Bangladesh Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On March 20, 20222, Bangladesh launched a nationwide special food subsidy program to counter Ukraine-Russia war induced rise in prices of cooking oil, lentils and other staples. It would provide food at reduced prices to 10 million poor people and will run until the end of Ramadan. It is mostly targeted at rural areas. 251 Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On June 9, 2022, the government decided to increase fertilizer subsidy to Tk16,000 crore in the budget for fiscal year (FY) 2022-23, aiming to boost domestic food production. The government wants to avoid price hikes as a stimulus to the farmer to ensure more crop production and control the price of food items in the local market. In FY 2021-22, Tk12,000 crore was spent on fertilizer subsidy. 252 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies 119 Wage increase On June 29, 2022, Bangladesh announced the export restriction on aromatic rice after it Export/import restriction failed to control the price in the local market. In this effort, the government has Trade cancelled the aromatic rice export permission of 41 companies. 253 Export/import easing On March 16, 2022, Bangladesh reduced percent value added tax (VAT) on edible oil imports to 5 per cent from 15 per cent to give some relief to consumers. The expected to expire on 30 June 2022. On July 5, 2022, it is reported that the government has extended it until September 30, 2022. 254, 255 Direct tax On June 23, 2022, Bangladesh has announced to cut customs tariffs and duty on rice Tax until October 31, 2022, in order to encourage imports to increase supply of the staple grain in the domestic market and cool its prices, according to a notification. Importers will be able to bring the grain by paying a total of 25 percent import duty, down from 62.5 percent. 256 Indirect tax 120 Barbados Fuel subsidies On March 14, 2022, Barbados announced a cap on the Value-added tax payable for gasoline and diesel that went into effect on March 16, 2022 and is set to last for 6 months. The price of gasoline was set at $3.99 per liter and diesel at $3.32 per liter (Barbados dollar). This is expected to cost the government $25.2 million in lost revenue. [Extension] This measure was extended so that it would be in effect at least until January 31st, 2023. The extension was announced on August 15th and went into effect on August 19th. The cap places the VAT for diesel at 26 cents less and 22 cents less for gasoline per liter. This is the amount that the VAT is reduced by as a result of Subsidies the measure and which consumers are experiencing as a decrease in the overall price of gasoline and diesel. 257, 258 On August 16th, the government announced a new price cap on fuel to be put in place until at least January 31, 2023. Gasoline will be capped at BDS$4.48 (USD$2.24) per liter and diesel will be capped at BDS$4.03 (USD$2.01). 259 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) On July 14th, Barbados announced a new package to ease the burden of rising costs. Conditional in-kind transfers (school One of the measures in this package was the school meals program that aims to provide feeding) lunch to school children during the summer months, starting July 25th and lasting until September 2nd. 260, 261, 262 Public works Paid sick leave Social Health insurance Insurance Pensions 121 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On July 14, 2022 Barbados announced a new package to ease the burden of rising costs. One of the measures in this package was a reduction in the VAT for electricity bills from 17.5% to 7.5% for the electricity charged up to the first 250 kWh. This is expected to benefit 63% of all households in Barbados and is expected to cost the government BDS$ 1.527 million a month or an expected BDS$ 10.5 million between August 1st and January 31st, 2023. 263, 264 Tax On July 14th, Barbados announced a new package to ease the burden of rising costs. Indirect tax One of the measures in this package was the addition of 44 food items to a list for which no VAT is charged. In addition to this, duties will be removed for all citrus products imported into Barbados. This measure went into effect on July 21st and is set to last until January 31st, 2023.265, 266 On March 16th, the government implemented a cap on VAT for gasoline would be capped at 47 cents per liter for a duration of 6 months. Diesel VAT was capped at 37 cents per liter for a duration of 6 months. On August 16th, it was announced that this cap would be kept in place or extended for an undisclosed amount of time. 267, 268 122 Belarus Fuel subsidies Food subsidies The Government directive imposes a ban as from 6 October 2022 on price increases, except in cases determined by the chairmen of the regional executive committees, the Subsidies Minsk City Executive Committee together with the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade and sectoral ministers. 269 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers [August 2022] A one-off grant is given out to more than 225,000 children from 111,500 families, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection informed, to pay for school materials. The first payments have already been made. Financial assistance is provided Conditional cash transfers once and is not dependent on the family income. The subsidy is part of the national Social program “Health of the people and demographic security.” More than 20 million Assistance Belarusian rubles have been set apart for this campaign. 270 Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies Wage increase 123 Export/import restriction On March 28, 2022, Belarus imposed a temporary export restriction on rice, whole meal flour, flour from rye, barley, pasta. 271 The measure is being taken in order to prevent shortages and to ensure food security within the country. The measure is in force between 28 March 2022 and 16 June 2022. At the same time, prohibited goods may still Trade be exported with a one-time license issued by the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation Export/import easing and Trade (MART) with an approval of the regional executive committee and the Minsk City Executive Committee. 272 Subsequently, on April 14, the government relaxed the restriction by imposing a quota of up to 1 kg on salt, sugar, flour (buckwheat flour, wheat flour), certain types of cereals (buckwheat, rice, semolina, oats, oat flakes, millet). 273, 274 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 124 Belgium Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On 2 October 2021, Belgium's Federal Energy Ministry proposed extending the social energy tariff introduced during the pandemic until the end of March 2022, costing €208 million and targeting nearly 500,000 households. On March 14, 2022, an extended social tariff benefiting one in five households was extended until 30 September 2022. The extension of the social tariff for energy to 880 thousand families (or around 16% of all Belgian households) will cost for the State €600 million for Jan-Sep 2022 (almost double that of 2021). On June 18, the federal government decided to extend the social tariff until the end of 2022. [September 2022] The target group for the social rates (helping one million households) is increased and the federal government has decided to extend the measure until the end of the winter (until 31 March 2023). 275, 276, 277 Subsidies March 15, 2022, Belgium has also announced that households that heat with fuel oil (propane or butane) will benefit from an automatic reduction of € 200 on their bill. A one-time refinancing of the social fuel oil fund (max. 17 million euros) is also planned. 278, 279 March 15, 2022, Belgium has also announced that households that heat with fuel oil (propane or butane) will benefit from an automatic reduction of € 200 on their bill. A one-time refinancing of the social fuel oil fund (max. 17 million euros) is also planned. [September 2022] The the federal government has decided to extend the measure until the end of the winter (until 31 March 2023) and the earlier benefit of 225 euros, introduced on August 31, has been increased to 300 euros. February 1, 2022, Belgium provided every household with a €100 cheque (in the form of refund) and will roll-out further charge- reductions for low-income families. 280 125 On 12 October, 2021, a €16 million Fund for Gas and Electricity was established to support households in need that are not eligible to receive the social tariff. 281 From October 2021, Belgium announced that the most vulnerable citizens are benefitting from an €80 energy check to be deduced from their bill. The budget for this energy check will amount to €72 million. 282 [September 2022] The government will provide households with support of up to €135 ($135) for gas and €61 for electricity per month in November and December. Eligibility will be based on income and energy contract conditions. 283 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Pensions [March 2022] The federal government confirms the extension of temporary unemployment, now called "force majeure" unemployment. This measure has been decided to allow SMEs to cope with rising Social Insurance prices. The temporary unemployment will be active until June 30, 2022. From 01.02.2020 to 30.06.2022 inclusive, the worker receives Unemployment benefits an allowance corresponding to 70% of his or her average salary with a ceiling (from 01.03.2022, the ceiling is set at €2,955.69 per month), regardless of the reason for the temporary unemployment. From 01.03.2020 to 30.06.2022 inclusive, all workers temporarily unemployed for reasons of force majeure (except for medical force 126 majeure) will receive, in addition to the unemployment benefit, a supplement of €5.98 per day (amount applicable from 01.03.2022) at the expense of the NEO. Until the end of June 2022, a reduced withholding tax of 15% will be deducted from the benefits. [16 September 2022] The temporary unemployment scheme will be extended once again. Employers will be able to put employees in unemployment, whereby they receive 70% of their wage + a premium of €6.10 per day. 284, 285 [September 2022] For the self-employed, one of the measures is the Social security contributions postponement of the deadline for the payment of employers’ social waiver security contributions and tax. 286 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On March 15, 2022, Belgium reduced excise duties on diesel and gasoline to €0.175 per liter, which means a saving of almost €10 for the consumer who is filling up with 60 liters. The reverse ratchet system will also be used from €1.7/liter. An evaluation is planned for mid-June 2022, followed by monthly monitoring. On June 18, the federal government decided to extend the reduction in excise duties on Tax fuels until the end of 2022. [September 2022] The federal government Indirect tax has decided to extend the measure until the end of the winter (until 31 March 2023). 287, 288, 289, 290, 291 On March 15, 2022, concerning gas, electricity and fuel oil, Belgium also announced VAT reductions and direct reductions on bills. The VAT on gas will be reduced to 6% from April 1 until September 30, 2022. VAT on electricity had already been reduced to 6%, a measure that will be extended until September 30, 2022. On June 18, the federal government decided to extend the 6% VAT on gas and 127 electricity. [September 2022] The federal government has decided to extend the measure until the end of the winter (until 31 March 2023). 292, 293, 294 128 Belize Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On March 24th, the price of regular gasoline was at $13.50 (Belize dollar). It Tax was kept at this level through the decrease of levies of 29 cents. For diesel, Indirect tax the government reduced the tax by $1.71, this accounts for an anticipated annual budget revenue loss of $17 million. 295 129 Benin Fuel subsidies Benin, on 23 March, 2022, announced to constitute a stock of diesel and maintain its sale price at the pump at 600 FCFA until June 30, 2022. However, less than a month later, a readjusted was made to the price and was revised upwards for diesel, oil and domestic gas. Only the price of gasoline remained unchanged following the readjustment of hydrocarbon prices. Diesel, oil and gas prices increased by 68 Subsidies francs, 186 francs and 65 francs respectively. They were sold at the following price from April 21, 2022: 668 francs /L for diesel; 795 francs/kg for domestic gas; 851 francs/L for oil. 296 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 130 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Benin, on 23 March, 2022, announced the exemption of VAT on (1) Vegetable oils imported or produced locally, (2) Wheat flour imported or produced locally. 297, 298 In January 2022, the Benin government decided to exempt VAT on imported rice. On 23 March 2022, Benin extended the duration of free flat rate of VAT on imported rice for another 3 months. This Tax exemption helps reduce the retail price of imported rice from Indirect tax XOF20,500 to XOF18,450 per 50-kg bag. 299 On March 23, 2022, Benin Implemented a 50% discount on the shipping costs to be used for the calculation of the customs value of goods imported by sea. Similarly, customs value of goods imported by air, air freight costs will be reduced by two-thirds. 300 Benin decided on 23 March 2022 to suspend the implementation of the readjustment of electricity tariffs until the end of 2022. 301 131 Bermuda Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On July 15th, Bermuda announced a $15 million relief package that includes a one-off cash transfer of $150 for each student enrolled in public school to be given to parents and guardians. This is to help with the added cost of going back to school. 302 Unconditional cash transfers On July 15th, Bermuda announced a $15 million relief package that includes a vertical expansion to the budget of the food allowance program under the Department of Financial Assistance by 15% to help families in need of food assistance. 303 Social Assistance Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On July 15th, Bermuda announced a $15 million relief package that Unconditional in-kind transfers includes an in-kind transfer of LED light bulbs to families to assist (food, vouchers, others) with the high cost of energy. The LED light bulbs will use 85% less energy and save money for families. 304 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 132 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing On July 15th, Bermuda announced a $15 million relief package that includes a one-off direct cash transfer in the form of a payroll tax rebate for workers making less than $96,000 a year (makes up 75% of Bermuda’s workforce). For those making under $60,000, the transfer Direct tax size will be $250 and for those making between $60,000 and $96,000 will receive $100. Applications opened in September, actual coverage depends on who gets accepted but 75% of the workers are eligible to apply. 305 On July 15th, Bermuda announced a $15 million relief package that Tax includes reducing the price of staple goods and foods through the reduction in import taxes for these products. 306 In April, the government announced a price freeze on fuel at the pump, keeping prices at February, 2022 levels. This measure has been Indirect tax extended multiple times, most recently on July 15th as part of the second part of the relief package. The price freeze is being carried out through a decrease in import tax on fuel and the fuel companies absorbing the extra cost. The cost of this decrease in import tax for fuel is expected to be $6.4 million for the current fiscal year. 307, 308, 309 133 Bosnia and Herzegovina Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies May 19, 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Federation approved a program to subsidies citizens for the purchase of new electric and Subsidies hybrid vehicles. The subsidy for the acquisition of electric vehicles will stand at 10,000 marka. A subsidy of 5,000 marka will be provided for the acquisition of plug-in hybrid vehicles with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of up to 50 grammes per kilometer or full hybrid vehicles with CO2 emissions of up to 130 grammes per kilometer. Citizens can apply for the subsidies by December 12 or until the amount budgeted is spent. 310 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [March 2022] Extraordinary indexation of pensions. This will be possible once a year if the increase in nominal GDP in the previous Social Insurance year is higher than 3%, and if the FBiH budget in the previous year did Pensions not accumulate a deficit. The increase will be capped at the percentage of nominal GDP increase in the previous year, and will not be applied to the highest pensions if the amount of the minimum pension is less than 1/5 of the highest pension (set at KM2,174.48 or €1,115). 311 Unemployment benefits 134 Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 135 Botswana Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On 29 March 2022, it was reported that Botswana announced to continue its support to Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) with a Subsidies revenue grant which is meant to cushion consumers against what would otherwise be exorbitantly high electricity tariffs, this yearly cash injection through the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, goes a long way in keeping the corporation afloat. For the FY 2022-23, BPC will receive P600 million. 312 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 136 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On 27 July 2022, Botswana announced a temporary reduction in the standard VAT rate and other economic measures to address the impact of rising inflation and economic stress in Botswana. The new measures were published in the official gazette on 1 August 2022 and generally are effective as of 3 August 2022. In which cooking oil and liquified Tax petroleum gas (LPG) are reduced to 0% (from 14%). 313, 314 Indirect tax On 27 July 2022, Botswana announced a temporary reduction in the standard VAT rate and other economic measures to address the impact of rising inflation and economic stress in Botswana. The new measures were published in the official gazette on 1 August 2022 and generally are effective as of 3 August 2022. In which cooking oil and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) are reduced to 0% (from 14%). 315, 316 137 Brazil Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On May 19th, Brazil announced an extension to the Auxílio Brasil social program that provides cash transfers to low-income families replacing the Bolsa Familia program in 2021. The extension makes this a permanent program (originally made to assist with the adverse economic effects of COVID-19) and raises the minimum transfer to R$400 a month. The exact number depends on the incomes of the families. The initial investment into this program by the Ministry of Citizenship is R$7.3 billion. The government was paying about R$47.5 billion a year, with the new increase this will add an additional R$41 billion a year. [Update] The Auxílio Brazil program was updated in August to include an additional 2.2 million families to bring the total coverage to just over 20 million. It also increased the monthly minimum cash transfer to R$ 600. 317, 318, 319, 320 On March 11, 2022, Brazil has announced that under the same bill, a Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers USD$60 a month cash transfer subsidy will be distributed to low- income homes out of a USD$600 million fund. This brings the total estimated cost of the bill to USD$3.8 billion. 321 On March 10th, the government announced the Auxílio Gasolina program which grants an additional R$100 to those under the Auxílio Brasil program. This new cash transfer is aimed at mitigating the costs of purchasing fuel for transport. In addition to those under Auxílio Brasil, beneficiaries of this program will include self-employed drivers and app-based drivers and riders (for example Uber). An estimated R$3 billion is expected for this program. 322, 323 [August 2022] The government announced a vertical expansion to the existing Auxílio Gás dos Brasileiros cash transfer program. This program was initially announced in November 2021, to help families pay for the rising cost of liquified petroleum gas (cooking gas). The 138 initial transfer amount was set to be varied depending on half of the national average cost of a 13kg cylinder can. This amount was set to be decided every 6 months as the price changed. However, starting in August 2022, the amount was increased to the cost of a full can. Currently a full can is listed at R$110.49. Every two months, eligible families will receive a transfer amount equal to the cost of a full can of cooking gas. Currently, 5.6 million families are being covered by this program. The government plans to add all members of the existing Auxílio Brasil program by September 2023, roughly over 20 million families. 324, 325, 326 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax 139 March 11, 2022, Brazil announced a change to the tax on fuel calculation from a percentage to a fixed value so as to try and reduce fuel prices for consumers. It also will freeze the ICMS state goods and services tax on refined products. The tax policy change is estimated to Indirect tax cost states USD $3.2 billion in potential revenue. On June 15, 2022, this bill was passed in the lower House of Congress. 327, 328 On March 22, 2022, Brazil announced the suspension of its 18% import tax on ethanol imports for the rest of 2022 in an inflation- cutting efforts to reduce fuel prices domestically. 329, 330 140 British Virgin Islands Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On September 19th, the government announced a fuel subsidy for residential electricity bills starting on October 1st. This subsidy will be 50% of the fuel oil surcharge on residential electricity bill for the months of October and November. For December, the subsidy will be 100% of the fuel surcharge. 331 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 141 Export/import easing Direct tax On April 14, 2022, the government announced that all customs duties on imports that are above 5% will be reduced to 5% starting on April Tax 15, 2022, and is set to last for three months. As part of this measure, Indirect tax import duties on propane, fossil fuels, and cement are reduced by 50%. [Extension] On July 22, 2022, it was announced that this measure was extended for another three months as of July 15, 2022. 332, 333 142 Bulgaria Fuel subsidies Bulgaria earlier in May approved a 2 billion leva ($1.1 billion) package aimed at shielding companies and low-income consumers from the surge in energy and food prices caused by the Ukraine conflict. The government will also offer a discount of 0.25 leva per litre of petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas and methane from July until the end of the year. 334, 335 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On December 16, 2021, Bulgaria lawmakers voted to freeze power regulated electricity and heating prices until the end of March for households. The moratorium prevented the independent energy regulator from increasing power prices by an average 11.5% and heating prices by about 30%, bringing them more in line with the market prices power companies pay for electricity and natural gas.336, 337 On May 18, 2022, Bulgaria intends to reduce the interest rate for overdue payments to the state, municipalities, utilities and others by up to eight per cent. 338 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers [May 2022] The government will increase the annual quota for food (food, vouchers, others) vouchers for employees from one billion to 1.2 billion leva. 339 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Social Insurance Health insurance [May 2022] The government decided to increase pensions by 20%, Pensions which includes increasing all pensions by €31 and an additional 143 recalculation of the pensions of 770,000 pensioners from 1 October. Each pension will be recalculated compared to 2008 with 100% of the growth of the average insurance income or 100% of inflation, depending on which is more favorable. The minimum pension in Bulgaria is equal to the poverty line in the country – about €210 but will now be increased to €240. The ceiling for pensions will become 3400 leva, the same as the maximum income insurance. 340 [May 2022] The 60 leva a month “Covid supplement” for pensioners will be incorporated into pensions on a permanent basis, while there will be individual adjustments for categories of pensioners. 341 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase 28 July, 2022, Bulgaria set up a working group between the Customs Export/import restriction Agency and the National Revenue Agency to limit the export of Trade Russian oil products starting from December 5, 2022. 342 Export/import easing Bulgaria, on May 1, 2022, announced an increase in the amount of personal income tax relief for children with retroactive effect from 1 January 2022 as follows: - one child - increased from BGN 4,500 to BGN 6,000 per year - two children - increased from BGN 9,000 to BGN 12,000 per year - three or more children - increased from BGN 13,500 to BGN 18,000 Tax Direct tax per year - children with disabilities - increased from BGN 9,000 to BGN 12,000 per year. 343 Bulgaria, on May 18, 2022, announced that families will receive a €300 tax rebate for each child. 344 144 Bulgaria, on May 18, 2022, reduced VAT rate of 9% on central heating and natural gas supplies until July 1, 2023. 345, 346, 347 Bulgaria, on May 18, 2022, as part of the anti-crisis measures included raising the bar for mandatory VAT registration from 50,000 to 100,000 leva. 348, 349 Indirect tax Bulgaria, on May 18, 2022, reduced VAT rate of 9% on central heating and natural gas supplies for one year. 350 On December 16, 2021, Bulgaria scraps excise duties on natural gas, electricity and methane. [July 5, 2022] An exemption from excise duty (0% rate) on qualifying electricity (generally from renewable sources), liquefied petroleum gas, and natural gas until 30 June 2025. 351 145 Burkina Faso Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Burkina Faso, on 4 April 2022, announced that it will open show shops to offer cereals at subsidized prices, up to 6,000 FCFA per 50 kg Subsidies bag, for the benefit of disadvantaged people. 352 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Burkina Faso announced on April 4,2022, the opening of show shops and the subsidy of more than 50 thousand tons of fertilizer. 353 Fees subsidies In 2022, the World Bank approved restructuring of social safety net project in Burkina Faso which includes horizontal expansion of the regular CT and shockresponsive CT beneficiaries by roughly 14,000 households. Regular cash transfers are provided quarterly basis with CFA Francs 35,000 (~ US$65) each in March, June, September, and December over a three-year cycle. In addition, the component provides shockresponsive transfers responding to food insecurity during the yearly lean seasons. These are being provided to existing beneficiaries Unconditional cash transfers of the regular transfers through a vertical expansion. The vertical expansion plans to provide two additional cash transfers in the same amount each in July and August to complement the tackling of chronic poverty with a response to short-term food security needs. So far the Social Assistance project has reached 997,998 individuals with cash transfers exceeding its target of 880,000. Based on the restructing the planned coverage has been increased from 880,000 to 971,000 individuals. The horizontal expansion costs: USD7.5 million, which has been moved from LIPW to CT. 354 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Social Insurance Health insurance 146 Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase To safeguard domestic food supplies and contain upward pressure on cereal prices, the Government of Burkina Faso announced a ban on Export/import restriction Trade exports of millet, maize and sorghum flours on 23 February 2022. 355, 356 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 147 Burundi Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On July 15, 2022, the African Development Bank approved a grant of $5.4 million to Burundi to finance an emergency agricultural production project. In addition to seed procurement, the project will provide farmers with plant-protection products subsidized at 60 percent of their cost to help them counter plant pests and diseases. The Subsidies financing will help in procurement of 1660 tons of fertilizer through the organo-mineral fertilizer subsidy system to increase soil fertilization and agricultural productivity and increase grain production: An additional 9000 tons of maize and 28,000 tons of rice will be produced. More than 48,000 households or about 255,000 people, including about 153,00 women, living in 14 of the country's provinces will directly benefit from the program. 357 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On July 15, 2022, the African Development Bank approved a grant of $5.4 million to Burundi to finance an emergency agricultural Social Assistance production project. The financial support is intended to improve the food security of the population. The Emergency Agricultural Production Project is intended to strengthen the national seed Unconditional in-kind transfers production system by providing technical assistance on climate- (food, vouchers, others) resilient seed multiplication. Thus, 200 seed multipliers -- of whom 60 percent are women -- will be helped to produce 200 tonnes of rice seed by the end of the project. 32,000 rice farmers – or almost 20,000 women -- will benefit from selected resilient seeds. In addition, 700 tonnes of resilient, high-yield hybrid maize seed will be procured for 15,800 producers including nearly 10,000 women. 358 148 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 149 Cambodia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On July 7, 2022, Cambodian government announced that it is Subsidies subsidizing more than $100 million to the state-owned Electricité du Cambodge (EDC) in 2022 to stabilize electricity tariffs. The government said the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the sanctions and embargoes imposed by certain Western countries on Russia have driven a sharp rise in global energy price, affecting all countries around the world. 359 On July 30, 2022, The Cambodian government announced that it is considering to extend the cash transfer program, set to come to an end in September, to the end of this year because of the economic uncertainty caused by the Russia-Ukraine War and food price hike. The Royal Government has transferred roughly $744 million to more Unconditional cash transfers than 680,000 poor and vulnerable households under the cash transfer program in 25 months. Started on June 24, 2020, the program was designed to provide monthly financial support to the poor and vulnerable households who hold the equity cards in both urban and Social Assistance rural areas across the country to help them in the hard times of the COVID-19 pandemic. 360 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits 150 Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 151 Cameroon Fuel subsidies On March 30, 2022, the government announced to support CFA 672 billion in terms of annual subsidies for super, diesel and kerosene, 70 billion for domestic gas. Subsequently on 29 July, 2022, the Cameroonian government announced it will approve CFA780 billion in fuel subsidy to keep pump prices unchanged. This new figure way higher than the CFA480 billion initially approved in the collective budget, and the CFA672 billion projected by the Minister of Commerce during a press conference held on March 30, 2022. 361, 362 On March 30, 2022, the government announced to support CFA 672 billion in terms of annual subsidies for super, diesel and kerosene, 70 billion for domestic gas. Subsequently on 29 July 2022, the Cameroonian government announced it will approve CFA780 billion in fuel subsidy to keep pump prices unchanged. This new figure way higher than the CFA480 billion initially approved in the collective budget, and the CFA672 billion projected by the Minister of Commerce during a press conference held on March 30, 2022. 363 Food subsidies Cameroon's Minister of Commerce signed two decrees on April 14, Subsidies 2022. First one makes compulsory the prior filing of price lists for certain consumer products and agree on price scale to be set for the final consumer. These goods include pasta, sardines, margarine, alcohol and spirits, detergents and household soaps, packaging, electrical cables and wires, paints, and tiles. Next, the second decrees sets the list of prices for products and services whose prices and tariffs are subject to the prior approval procedure, before any sale on the national market. These are milk, rice, fish, crude palm oil, refined vegetable oils, cooking salt, sugar, bread and pastries, flours, mineral water, beer and drinks, domestic gas, cement, concrete iron, roofing sheets, services of the auxiliaries of the maritime transport, port services, and public transport. 364 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On 15 July 2022, African Development Fund approved a loan of €62.99 million to Cameroon. In addition to the seed distribution, small farmers will also have access to agricultural inputs – nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilisers and urea – with subsidies representing 30% of the market price. The main benefit of the programme will be to farmers, input importers and distributors, 152 companies in the oilseeds and cereals sectors and the Cameroonian population as a whole. 365 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers On 2 May 2022, the World Bank approved a credit from IDA in the amount of $100 million for “Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project.” It has several components, of which Sub-component 1.1 pertains to provision of emergency food and nutrition assistance costs US$23.6 million. Sub-component 1.1 will finance a set of activities to support poor and vulnerable households in project targeted areas. First, CCTs to extremely vulnerable households for early recovery activities. This activity will focus on rapid deployment of food assistance through CCTs. A total of 33,490 duly registered beneficiaries will be covered with CCTs (60 percent women). Conditional cash transfers Vulnerable refugees, returnees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and host communities will be targeted. Cash transfers will be linked to participation in economic empowerment activities. These include micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) and petty food trade. Social Assistance Also, establishment of backyard/home garden and small household livestock and fishing units adapting climate smart practices (composting, production of organic, low-carbon food, school woodlots/windbreaks, recycling of waste, solar power as a source of energy, promoting energy efficient equipment and cooking stoves known as foyer amélioré au Cameroun). 366` Social pensions On 15 July 2022, African Development Fund approved a loan of €62.99 million to Cameroon. The funding will enable the country to increase production of major agricultural crops (rice, maize, sorghum, millet, soybean, potato, palm oil and garden crops) in order to mitigate Unconditional in-kind transfers the impact of the food crisis caused by the war between Russia and (food, vouchers, others) Ukraine. The main focus of the program will be to make seeds available to producers. For example, 1,720 tonnes of seed rice, 2,500 tonnes of maize seed, 130 tonnes of sorghum seed, 2,400 tonnes of seed potatoes, 1.12 million pregerminated oil-palm seeds, 132 tonnes of soya seeds, 4 tonnes of garden crop seeds (tomato) and 67 tonnes of 153 wheat seeds will be distributed. In addition to providing seeds, the program will involve in the digitalisation of the distribution of agricultural inputs. The main benefit of the program will be to farmers, input importers and distributors, companies in the oilseeds and cereals sectors and the Cameroonian population as a whole. The pilot phase is currently being rolled out in the coffee and cocoa sectors, but it will be extended to the foodstuff sectors. 367 On 2 May 2022, the World Bank approved a credit from IDA in the amount of $100 million for “Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project.” It has several components, of which Sub-component 1.1 pertains to provision of emergency food and nutrition assistance costs US$23.6 million. Sub-component 1.1 will finance a set of activities to support poor and vulnerable households in project targeted areas. Third, support for prevention of acute malnutrition will target 30,000 children and pregnant and lactating women and girls (PLWG) and focus on: (a) emergency nutrition response to address acute malnutrition in conflict-affected areas; (b) resilience nutrition response delivering integrated malnutrition preventive package while promoting locally owned solutions for addressing undernutrition particularly stunting; and (c) carrying out social behavior communication for promotion of essential nutrition and other family practices. 368 On 2 May 2022, the World Bank approved a credit from IDA in the amount of $100 million for “Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project.” It has several components, of which Sub-component 2.1: Support for food production for farmers and agri-food processors (US$24.5 million). Sub-component 2.1 will contribute to increasing the sustainable productive capacity of 100,000 eligible farming and agri-food processing beneficiaries, 60 percent of whom are women. It will finance the following activities: (i) the provision of inputs such as improved drought resistant seed varieties, fertilizer, and basic tools for primary production; including small scale-irrigation; (ii) supply of post-harvest and value-addition equipment with a focus on solar powered equipment; and (iii) development of community post-harvest infrastructure like storage facilities. Reducing post-harvest losses contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation while promoting food security.35 This sub-component will include technical assistance to 154 promote CSA techniques to strengthen producers’ resilience to climate change. These include optimal use of improved seeds and other inputs, sustainable irrigation and water harvesting, bio-intensive vegetable and fruit farming, and post-harvest management to reduce production/food losses. 369 On 2 May 2022, the World Bank approved a credit from IDA in the amount of $100 million for “Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project.” It has several components, of which Sub-component 2.2 Support to pastoralists and fishermen, and related processing (US$17.5 million). Sub-component 2.2 will support the development of livestock and aquaculture sub-sectors through climate resilient and sustainable practices. Support will be provided to 50,000 small-scale pastoral and fishing beneficiaries for primary production activities, as well as to 9,000 beneficiaries for post-harvest management and related processing, 60 percent of whom are women. The sub-component will finance (i) the acquisition and distribution of climate-smart inputs, equipment, and infrastructure specific to the two sub-sectors; (ii) support for the development of pastoral and fisheries postharvest management and processing; (iii) technical assistance in sustainable management practices for improving rangeland and grassland quality, reducing deforestation, and promoting sustainable aquaculture. Resources in pastoral activities will increase climate smart production and access to fodder to improve sustainable livestock feeding practices. They will also support the provision of cows and small animals (like piglets and day-old chicks). Support will also be provided for the establishment of a milk collection cold chain network with energy efficient storage and distribution. Inputs, support services, and off-farm activities will increase climate resilience and reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions in addition to increasing meat and dairy production for improved food and nutrition security. 370 On 2 May 2022, the World Bank approved a credit from IDA in the amount of $100 million for “Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project.” It has several components, of which Sub-component Conditional in-kind transfers 1.1 pertains to the provision of emergency food and nutrition (school feeding) assistance for a cost of US$23.6 million. Sub-component 1.1 will finance a set of activities to support poor and vulnerable households in project targeted areas. Second, the sub-component will finance 155 emergency and home-grown school feeding (HGSF). Through this activity the scale up of HGSF will be supported to benefit 50 schools and 35,000 children in IPC3+ communities. Schools will be matched with smallholder farmers – mostly women cultivating communal gardens and small breeding (table eggs) – to provide safe, diverse, and nutritious local food. These farmers will be introduced to CSA practices/technologies to increase their resilience to climate change.371 On 2 May 2022, the World Bank approved a credit from IDA in the amount of $100 million for “Emergency Project to Combat the Food Crisis Project.” It has several components, of which Sub-component 1.2: Labor-intensive public works (LIPW) for resilience (US$11.4 million). Sub-component 1.2 will support 33,400 able-bodied laborers who support some 167,000 household members, 60 percent of whom are women. These laborers will be mobilized to participate in high labor intensity community public works programs. This will build Public works resilience in response to droughts and floods that degrade soils, creates run off, severely reduces availability of water, and generate loss of tree cover and forest degradation. The combination of impacts contributes to loss of agricultural livelihoods and food sources. Beneficiaries will receive income transfers for work done based on defined outputs. Activities under this subcomponent will include: (i) providing temporary employment for LIPW; (ii) payment of transfer fees and (iii) providing LIPW beneficiaries with tools, equipment and raw materials to implement selected subprojects.372 Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase 156 To curb price increases and ensure adequate supplies of these staple commodities in the domestic market, Cameroon’s Customs Department issued a memorandum announcing the immediate temporary suspension of exports of locally produced cereals and vegetable oils from far North Region on 27 December 2021. Export/import restriction Companies exporting cereals and vegetable oils produced locally in Trade Cameroon will no longer be able to supply abroad until further notice. Subsequently, on 22 April 2022, the Ministry of Commerce of Cameroon suspended exports of wheat flour, rice, vegetable oil and other locally produced cereals from the East Region, in order to ensure adequate availabilities in the domestic market. 373, 374, 375 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 157 Canada Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies April 6, the Government of Canada announces changes to the Advance Payments Program to support farmers ahead of planting season to allow farmers to access 100% of their 2022 cash advance through the waiving of timed installments. This will improve cash flow and allow farmers to purchase fuel, fertilizer, and seeds. [Update] On June 23rd, the government announced a temporary increase to the interest free limit for advances under the Advance Payments Program. The limit will be increased from CAD$ 100,000 to CAD$250,000 for 2022 and 2023. 376, 377 Subsidies On June 16, 2022, Canada announced a new package called the Affordability Plan which is estimated to cost a total CAD$8.9 billion. Within this package, is included the measure Affordable Early Learning and Childcare which will cut childcare fees in all 13 provinces for an average of 50%. 378 On September 7th, the government of British Columbia, Canada announced new measures to help people with the high cost of living due to global inflation. One measure is a 2% cap on rent increases for 2023. This means that instead of allowing rent to increase at or more than the rate of inflation, it is being capped at a 2% increase so as to help renters in the province have more money in their pockets. 379 On March 8, Prince Edward Island announced CAD $20 million package to address the rise in cost of living for the low income population. This package includes a one-time cash transfer payment of CAD $150, worth a total of CAD $1 million. 380 Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers On March 22nd, Quebec announced a one-off cash transfer of CA$500 to every resident making less than CA$100,000. For those making more, they will still receive a transfer but it will be a smaller amount. This will be a direct transfer to a banking account after the residents submit their 2021 taxes. The CA$500 cash transfer is expected to 158 cover 6.4 million Quebec residents. Therefore, the total cost will be CA$3.2 billion. 381 On March 24th, Nova Scotia provincial government says it is providing $13.2 million to help vulnerable Nova Scotians address the impact of rising fuel prices. As part of it, a one-time payment of $150 to all currently eligible recipients of the heating assistance rebate program will be made. 382 On March 24th, Nova Scotia provincial government says it is providing $13.2 million to help vulnerable Nova Scotians address the impact of rising fuel prices. As part of it, a one-time payment of $150 is planned to be paid to all current income assistance recipients, including disability support program participants receiving income support. 383 On June 16th, the Canadian government announced a new package called the Affordability Plan which is estimated to cost a total CAD$8.9 billion. Within this package, there is a measure which enhances the existing Canada Workers Benefit to provide support to an estimated 3 million workers. The total cost of this added benefit is expected to be CAD$1.7 billion. Single workers are set to receive up to an additional CAD$ 1200 and for couples up to CAD$ 2400. This will be received through the 2021 tax return. 384 On July 28th, Nova Scotia announced an additional CAD$250 in aid as a one-off transfer for eligible seniors who make under CAD$37,500 a year. This would be on top of the one-off cash transfer of CAD$500 previously approved in March. 385 On September 20th, Canada introduced new measures to build on the existing Affordability Plan aimed at helping Canadians with rising prices. These new measures come in the form of two new bills, the second is the Cost of Living Relief Act, No 2 which includes a direct cash transfer under the Canada Dental Benefit. The aim of the cash transfer is to help pay for dental care for children under 12 years old. Up to CAD $650 could be given to each eligible child per year for a 159 duration of two years, meaning each child can receive up to CAD $1300. This is a targeted program to lower income families, only families making under CAD $90,000 a year with children will be eligible. The expected coverage is 500,000 Canadian children and the expected cost is of CAD $938 million. The measure will be implemented on December 1st, 2022 and can cover dental costs retroactively starting on October 1st. 386, 387, 388 On September 20th, Canada introduced new measures to build on the existing Affordability Plan aimed at helping Canadians with rising prices. These new measures come in the form of two new bills, the second is the Cost of Living Relief Act, No 2 which includes a payment under the Canada Housing Benefit. This measure is housing support in the form of a one-off CAD $500 payment to low income renters in Canada. It is expected to reach 1.8 million renters, including students, who are struggling with the cost of housing. The cost is expected to total CAD $1.2 billion, with $475 million committed in the budget for 2022. 389, 390 On September 7th, the government of British Columbia announced new measures to help people with the high cost of living due to global inflation. One measure is a vertical expansion of the existing B.C. Family Benefit for the period January to March of 2023. This existing measure is a monthly cash transfer for families with children under the age of 18. It is targeted to lower income families with the transfer size being progressively less and less for higher and higher income brackets. The vertical expansion will be up to CAD $58.33 per month per child for three months. This measure which only captures the temporary increase or vertical expansion is expected to cost CAD $100 million. 391, 392 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On March 24th, Nova Scotia provincial government says it is providing $13.2 million to help vulnerable Nova Scotians address the Unconditional in-kind transfers impact of rising fuel prices. As part of it, $1 million is planned to be (food, vouchers, others) provided to Feed Nova Scotia to distribute among its 140 food banks provincewide. 393 160 On March 24th, Nova Scotia provincial government says it is providing $13.2 million to help vulnerable Nova Scotians address the impact of rising fuel prices. As part of it, $200,000 is being planned to be distributed to local food banks across the province that are not part of the Feed Nova Scotia network. 394 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Starting on June 1, British Columbia is increasing the minimum wage by 45 cents to CAD$15.65 an hour in order to support workers. The Wage increase increase is tied to the rate of inflation for B.C., which was 2.8 per cent last year. 395 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing On September 20th, Canada introduced new measures to build on the existing Affordability Plan aimed at helping Canadians with rising prices. These new measures come in the form of two new bills, the first is the Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 1 which includes a cash Tax Direct tax transfer in the form of a tax credit. It is a doubling of the existing Goods and Services Tax Credit, set to last for 6 months. This is expected to provide CAD $2.5 billion in additional targeted support to an expected 11 million individuals and families who are already receiving the tax credit (9 million single people and 2 millions 161 couples). Single Canadians without children are set to receive up to an extra CAD $234, couples with two children would receive up to CAD $467, and seniors would receive on average an extra CAD $225. The actual amount will depend on income level, this is a targeted measure to more vulnerable income groups as the transfer size decreases as income increases. 396, 397, 398 On September 7th, the government of British Columbia announced new measures to help people with the high cost of living due to global inflation. One measure is a vertical expansion of the existing Climate Action Tax Credit which is a cash transfer for British Columbia tax payers. The existing program is a quarterly cash transfer for low and middle income residents of the province with funds coming from the province’s carbon tax. However, this measure enhances only one of the payments, therefore this measure is a one-off adaptation in the form of a vertical expansion. The payment set for October is the one that will see a one-time vertical expansion. The vertical expansion will be up to an additional CAD $164 for each adult and $41 per child. 399, 400, 401 On October 5th, the government of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a one-off payment to all eligible residents of up to CAD $500. This will be issued based on 2021 tax returns and will be sent out to all residents 18 or older as of December 2022 who make under $125,000 a year, those making under $100,000 will receive the full transfer of $500 with the others receiving between $250-$500. This cash transfer is expected to reach 392,000 residents and is expected to cost $194 million. 402 Indirect tax 162 Cape Verde Fuel subsidies On March 31, 2022, Cape Verde announced the stabilization of the prices of fuel. 403 On April 1, 2022. Cape Verde's Multisectoral Economics Regulatory Agency updated the fuel prices that came into force in the country as of April 1st: Butane Gas, Diesel for Electricity, Fuel oil 180 and 380. Cape Verde declares the temporary suspension, for three months, from April to June, of the application of mechanisms for fixing fuel prices. The update on the maximum selling prices to the public referring to Subsidies the month of April, remain fixed, at the current levels, in force starting March, for some products, such as butane and fuels for electricity production. Maintaining fuel prices through state intervention is estimated at 400 million escudos (3.6 million euros). 404, 405, 406 Food subsidies On March 31, 2022, Cape Verde announced the stabilization of the prices of wheat, corn, rice, cooking oil and powdered milk. 407 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On 31 March 2022, Cape Verde increased the discount on the social tariff for water and electricity from 30 to 50% for the poorest families. 408 On 31 March, 2022, Cape Verde announced the increase in the number Unconditional cash transfers of beneficiaries of the Social Inclusion Income for families in extreme poverty and absolute poverty. 409 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers Social Assistance (food, vouchers, others) On March 31, 2022, Cape Verde announced the extension of the period of offering meals in school canteens. 410 Conditional in-kind transfers On 24 September 2022, in Cape Verde, under a Limited Emergency (school feeding) Operation, WFP will purchase and transport food for school meals to 90,000 children, using existing procurement platforms to cost- effectively source the food, while ensuring that national food quality standards are met. WFP will also provide advisory services to the 163 government on programme monitoring, advocacy and evidence generation in food security and nutrition, while working to boost resource mobilization and partnerships with the government, International Financial Institutions, the private sector and other development actors. 411 Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On March 31, 2022, Cape Verde reduced VAT on electricity from 15 to 8%. 412 On July 6, 2022, Cape verde reduced rates for the special consumption Tax tax (ICE) of gasoline and diesel due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine Indirect tax conflict. It includes the following: (i) Lowering ICE to CVE 6 per liter of gasoline from 10% ; (ii) Lowering the direct tax rate of gasoline from 20% to 10%; (iii) Lowering the direct tax rate of fuel 180 and 380 from 5% to 0%. The reduced ICE rates are valid till December 31, 2022. 413, 414 164 Cayman Islands Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On July 1st, the government announced a temporary fuel cost credit to electricity bills of residents consuming between 101 kWh and 2,000 kWh a month, named the Fuel Factor Relief Programme. This effectively acts as a price control as it will try to keep the price at CI $ 0.20 per kWh, therefore the credit that will be credited to electricity bills will vary depending on the market price in order to keep the cost for consumers at $0.20 per kWh. This is set to impact 80% of utility customers on Grand Cayman and almost 90% on the Sister Islands. Subsidies This measure will impact energy consumption from July to September and for the bills from August to October. On October 26th, this measure was extended for an additional 3 months, now set to last until the end of the year. Additionally, the government announced that as of October 26th, the measure had reached 22,000 households. 415, 416 On July 1st, the government announced a temporary program to contribute up to CI$ 0.05 per kWh to eligible electricity utility customers named the Electricity Assistance Relief Programme. This measure works alongside as the Fuel Factor Relief Programme and so it also has covered 22,000 households as of October 26th. It was also initially set to last three months and has been extended until the end of the year. 417 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) 165 Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 166 Central African Republic Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On July 14, 2022, African Development Bank Group approved a grant of $5.39 million to the Central African Republic. The grant will assist the production of an additional 32,000 tons of foodstuffs and enhance food security for 100,000 people. It will also help the Central African Republic to implement an emergency food program to tackle the surge in food prices exacerbated by the war between Russia and Ukraine. The grant will help increase agricultural productivity and production in the Central African Republic, especially rice, maize and cassava. The grant will provide for the procurement of 1.8 tons of maize seed, 1.2 Social Assistance tons of rice seed and 75,0000 linear meters of cassava for the benefit of farmers. This will comprise pre-basic seed (seed produced by agricultural research centers) and basic seed (seed produced by Unconditional in-kind transfers approved seed bodies, with the assistance of research technicians of (food, vouchers, others) State technical services). The project will also procure from local seed producers 130 tons of maize seed, sufficient to sow 4500 hectares; 30 tons of paddy rice seed, sufficient for 700 hectares, and 5 million linear meters of cassava, for planting in 1800 hectares. In addition, the program will procure, via a tendering process, 750 tons of fertilizer, consisting of 500 tons of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and 250 tons of urea, to cover the fertilizer 5200 hectares (4500 hectares of maize and 700 hectares of rice). To enable producers to master growing techniques, part of the grant will be used to train workers in three national institutions active in the field of agriculture. A vehicle and office equipment and materials will be made available for this purpose. 418 167 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 168 Chad Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers Social Assistance (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On January 8, 2022, Chad announced ban on the export of cereals and Export/import restriction Trade groundnuts, except for sesame to address food insecurity. 419 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 169 Chile Fuel subsidies On May 3rd, Chile announced an increase of US$40 million to the fuel stabilization fund in order to maintain lower prices on fuel. 420 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On April 12, 2022, Chile announced a new package, “Chile Apoya, Plan de Recuperación,” as a new set of measures expanding upon the Subsidies existing “Chile Apoya” social programs. This package is set to cost a total of US$ 3.726 million. Within this package, there is a price control for electricity (utility) that went into effect on May 16, 2022. This measure will cap the price of electricity for consumption up to 350 kWh of usage. Consumption between 350 and 500 kWh will see a maximum 5% increase in the cost and for above 500 kWH, a maximum of 15% increase in the total cost.421, 422 On April 25th, the government announced an expansion of cash transfers to eligible beneficiaries with the social programs: Subsidio Único Familiar (SUF) and Asignación Familiar (AF). The new program is called Canasta Básica Protegida and will be a monthly transfer between May and December of 2022. This program is set to add an additional CLP $6,410 to each beneficiary within a household on top of what they already received under either of the two existing Unconditional cash transfers programs (SUF or AF). However, this number is set to change based on a calculation of the rising prices of a basket of goods that changes monthly. This program is expected to reach 3.1 million beneficiaries. 423, 424 Social Assistance On July 12th, the government announced a one-off cash transfer under the name “Bono Chile Apoya de Invierno”. This transfer will be CLP120,000 and is expected to cover 7.5 million people. 425, 426 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) 170 Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Wage subsidies Labor Market On April 25th, the government announced an increase in the minimum wage by 14.3% to try and keep up with rising inflation. Starting May 1st, the monthly minimum wage will be $380,000 (Chilean peso) and Wage increase will rise to $400,000 on August 1st. Additionally, if inflation rises by more than 7% by December of 2022, then the monthly minimum wage will increase to $410,000 starting January of 2023. 427 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 171 China Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On March 6, 2022, China’s Finance Ministry has allocated an additional $6.59 billion in agricultural subsidies. China will allocate 41.639 billion yuan ($6.59 billion) in subsidies in 2022 for agricultural insurance premiums, up 30.8% from a year earlier, the finance ministry said in another report.428, 429 On May 5, 2022, China pledged US$1.5b in grain farmer subsidies to offset soaring production costs. The one-off subsidy aims to support summer harvest and autumn sowing. Spring planting disruptions caused by Covid-19 curbs and war in Ukraine weigh on Chinese wheat output forecasts. 430 On June 16, 2022, The Central Government allocated 673 million yuan of disaster relief funds for agricultural production. The funds are mainly used to support 25 provinces (autonomous regions and Subsidies municipalities) including Jilin, Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, etc., to purchase pesticides, pesticides, and insecticides required for the prevention and control of rice and corn diseases and insect pests, locusts in agricultural areas, and red fire ants. Appropriate subsidies will be given to medical equipment and supplies and services for the development of unified defense and governance operations. 431 On April 25, 2022, The Ministry of Finance issued 1.6 billion yuan of funds for agricultural production and water conservancy disaster relief, and implemented the new wheat "one spray and three prevention" subsidy policy to support 22 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) including Hebei, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, and Henan. Subsidies are given to "one spray and three prevention" measures such as spraying insecticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators, and foliar fertilizer mixtures during the wheat growth period to prevent crop diseases and insect pests, prevent dry hot wind, and prevent premature aging, and promote stable and increased wheat production. 432 172 On March 11, 2022, the central government allocated a total of 30 billion yuan in two installments to provide one-off subsidies and one- off subsidies for agricultural materials to farmers who grow grains. An additional 10 billion RMB has been decided to be provided on August 24. 433, 434, 435 Fees subsidies On May 2, 2022, China announced that EV buyers will receive subsidies from local governments aiming to bolster the industry. People who retire a car registered in the city more than 1 year ago and purchase a new energy vehicle by the end of 2022 will receive a subsidy of as much as 10,000 yuan ($1,499). 436, 437 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers Social Assistance (school feeding) On May 18, 2022, The National Development and Reform Commission, in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance, has announced that the central government will invest 6.6 billion yuan in cash-for-work in 2022, leveraging various local funds of about 1.2 Public works billion yuan, and supporting the implementation of more than 1,800 cash-for-work projects in various regions, which will drive more than 130,000 people. It is expected that the local people participating in the construction of the project will receive more than 10,000 yuan per capita for labor services. 438 Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 173 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On October 11, 2021, China has tightened regulations on fertilizer Export/import restriction exports. There is a new requirement of inspection before exporting the Trade fertilizers. 439, 440 Export/import easing Direct tax On August 19, 2022, the government decided that new EV purchase Tax tax policy, which has been postponed twice and expired at the end of Indirect tax 2022, will be exempted. The implementation will be postponed until the end of 2023, and an additional 100 billion yuan of tax exemption is expected. 441 174 Colombia Fuel subsidies Colombia already has energy subsidy measures in place for the more vulnerable populations dating back several years. The Ministry of Energy and Mining announced on March 4, that it had already given 600 million Colombian Pesos in subsidies for energy. This shows a significant increase in the amount of subsidies so far this year. In 2021, 1.4 billion was administered as subsidies. [Update] In June, the government announced the new budget and indicated that it would gradually raise prices for gasoline by removing subsidies in order to minimize the fiscal deficit. This indicates a reduction in government spending on fuel subsidies. The dismantling of fuel price subsidies is the result of the fiscal pressure that this mechanism is generating in the government's finances. 442, 443, 444, 445 Food subsidies [August 11] The "Law against Hunger" seeks to make food available to the vulnerable population at 50% of its commercial price through a subsidy (monetary transfer) for the purchase of a series of selected foods. "The initial basket of products is proposed: rice, precooked Subsidies flours, eggs, vegetable oil, pasta, and panela. Later: powdered milk, sliced bread, and potato, short-circuit products such as bananas, fresh vegetables, fresh milk and fruits" (it occurred in the inflationary context, but its purpose is not that). 446 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On September 16th, the government announced a short and long term plan to reduce electricity utility bills for consumers. This plan is called Pacto por la Justicia Tarifaria. In the short term, this involves extending periods of payment for loans and machinery on the part of electric companies, and giving electric generating and electric distributing companies the option to renegotiate contracts in the interest of lowering prices for consumers. In the long term, this involves the controlling of rate increases so as to allow for rates to increase by less than 0.6% or decrease (before the rates had to increase by at 0.6%), and update rates with more current inflation rate information (currently using 2020 data). The long term plan will go into force in 5 months. 447 Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers 175 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions [August 29] The "Eat is first" program of the Antioquia compensation fund consisted of the delivery of a bonus of about 43,000 COP to Unconditional in-kind transfers about 17,000 families in the same region. The last transfer is set to be (food, vouchers, others) distributed January 27th, 2023. This money can only be used for the purchase of certain food products at participating grocery stores. This is a Comfama private initiative.448 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On June 4, 2022, Colombia announced the reduction of customs duties Tax on some 200 products to try and reduce the cost of necessary imported Indirect tax goods. This is done by removing the value of the ships and cargo from the calculation of the customs duty. This reduction of the import tax is set to last for six months. 449 176 Comoros Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On 5 April, 2022, Comoros issued an order to limit the prices of certain food item, such as sugar, flour, condensed milk, oil, sardines, concentrated tomato, mineral water, beef, and chicken, are subject to a Subsidies floor price and a ceiling price. 450 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On 5 April, 2022, Comoros announced that free transportation will be available for farmers to transport local agricultural products to Moroni, Mutsamudu and Fomboni. 451 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On Oct 22, 2022, African Development Bank Group has approved a €5.76 million (US$5.6m) grant to the Comoros to increase food production and enhance the resilience of its food system. The grant funds will come from the African Development Bank’s Transition Support Facility, a mechanism to help fragile African states consolidate peace, build resilient institutions, stabilize their Social Assistance economies, and lay the foundations for inclusive growth. Under the Emergency Agricultural Production Support Project, the grant will support intensified production of maize, potatoes, and sweet potatoes Unconditional in-kind transfers through the use of climate resilient certified seeds and varieties. The (food, vouchers, others) funding will also help boost poultry production and the supply of eggs and chicken for consumption. Agricultural producers in the country will receive 270 tons of maize and potato seeds and 300,000 sweet potato vines. They will also receive 75 tons each of DAP binary fertilizer, NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) fertilizer and urea fertilizer, as well as phytosanitary products. Under the project, farmers will also take delivery of four tractors and 20 power tillers. Sixteen laying and broiler houses will be built to house 160,000-day- old chicks (broiler and laying). More than 14,000 households, about 177 70,000 people, living on the country’s three islands—Grande- Comoros, Anjouan and Mohéli – will benefit from the project. 452 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver On Oct 22, 2022, African Development Bank Group has approved a €5.76 million (US$5.6m) grant to the Comoros to increase food production and enhance the resilience of its food system. Besides the inkind agricultural inputs, about 10,780 producers will receive training Training (vocational, life skills, in the production, processing and conservation of maize, potatoes, and others) sweet potatoes. Further, 3,220 poultry farmers will be trained in Labor Market breeding techniques and poultry management. Lastly, the project will establish a guarantee fund for producers of agricultural inputs and feed importers. 453 Labor market regulations Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 178 Congo, Dem. Rep. Fuel subsidies An audit of the price structure is planned, along with gradual adjustments to fuel price and targeted social transfers. Raising fuel prices and eliminating the subsidy to foreign airline companies will reduce arrears build up in 2022, at set the subsidy at 0.5 percent of Subsidies GDP in 2022. The 2022 subsidies projections are estimated to be contained at about US$300 million (0.5 percent of GDP). 454 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On July 15, 2022, the African Development Bank Group approved $13.48 million in mixed financing to shore up food production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), under the African Emergency Food Production Facility. The funds, comprising a loan of $7.56 million and a $5.94 million grant from the Transition Support Facility, will be used to acquire seeds and fertilizers for 22,000 Social Assistance vulnerable farming and rural households whose livelihoods have been impacted by the collateral effects of the war in Ukraine. The project will increase agricultural yields and help build the capacity of key Unconditional in-kind transfers research institutions involved in the seed sector. It will provide 22,000 (food, vouchers, others) smallholder farmers with fertilizers and improved seeds that are resistant to climate change. The project will positively impact the food security of 22,000 farming households by enabling 11,000 hectares to be sown with rice, maize and cassava. It will also help to strengthen the resilience of households by increasing incomes and improving living conditions of smallholder farmers. The project will provide seeds from agricultural research centers, including 99 tons of maize, 120 tons of rice and 8500 linear meters of cassava, as well as 2,400 tons of fertilizer to improve crop yields on 11,000 hectares of land (4,800 hectares for maize, 4,800 for rice and 1,400 hectares for 179 selected smallholders producing cassava). The project will be implemented in 11 provinces of the DRC: Haut-Lomami, Kasaï, Kasaï Central, Kasaï Oriental, Lomami, Kongo Central, Kwilu, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu and Tshopo. 455 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 180 Congo, Rep. Fuel subsidies Food subsidies March 30, 2022, Congo, Rep. announced the establishment of a resilience fund to subsidize the import of certain basic products not manufactured in the country. 456 The government announced control of the prices of necessities. 457 Subsidies On October 12, 2022, Congo's Ministry of Finance released a note saying that it had paid around $430 million in fuel subsidies but still needed to settle bills amounting to $160 million to avoid nation-wide fuel shortages that hit the country in September. It also mentioned that for each liter of petrol purchased, the state pays 1,700 Congolese francs ($0.83). 458 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 181 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On March 4, 2022, Democratic Republic of Congo announced VAT Tax reduction to 8% for essential food items (from standard 18%). 459 Indirect tax On March 4, 2022, Democratic Republic of Congo announced VAT exemption for fuel oil market supplies. 460 182 Costa Rica Fuel subsidies On May 22nd, the government announced new measures to try and reduce the price of gasoline and diesel in Costa Rica. One of these measures is to change the calculation of the price for diesel. This will result in a decrease of 5.5 per cent for the price of diesel per liter.461 Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On July 6th, the government announced a new agriculture subsidy for small scale rice farmers (less than 100 hectares) worth 3 million colones in total. This will help boost production for rice and reduce costs for consumers as well as help small scale farmers compete with big companies. 462 Fees subsidies To cushion the impacts of inflation on the poor, the government of Costa Rica has announced a temporary cash transfer program directed to families that are not benefiting from regular cash transfers; classified as poor or extreme poor by the national social registry (SINIRUBE); and have at least one member in the following categories: person with disability, elderly, underage children and/or are female headed households. The transfer will equal 60,000 colones Unconditional cash transfers per household per month – approximately $95- (which equals the value of the monthly per capita food basket used to measure extreme poverty) for a period of three months, to an estimated number of 111,000 households. The Government is considering an extension of Social Assistance two additional months if inflation persists, depending on the country’s fiscal capacity (the estimated cost of the first three months of implementation is of 20,000 million colones ($31.5 million), equivalent to about 3 percent of social expenditure). 463, 464 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works 183 Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On July 6th, the government announced the reduction in the import tax for milled rice from 36% to 5% in order to keep prices lower for Tax consumers. 465 Indirect tax On August 3rd, the government announced a new price ceiling for fuel through the reduction of taxes. The price ceiling proposal is of 900 colones for one liter of gasoline and 800 for a liter of diesel. 466 184 Côte d'Ivoire Fuel subsidies Since early 2022, Côte d'Ivoire has been subsidizing prices at the pump. In Cote d’Ivoire, for each liter of diesel purchased at 615 CFA francs, the state contributes 469 CFA francs. The subsidy is 285 CFA francs for each liter of premium gasoline sold at 735 CFA francs. Until now, the government fuel subsidy costed 500 billion CFA francs during the current year. 467 Food subsidies March 9, 2022, In order to contain the rise in certain consumer products and preserve consumer purchasing power, Côte d'Ivoire has increased the number of products and services whose prices are Subsidies regulated from 4 to 21. The government capped the prices of 21 products, including consumer products, for a period of three months both at production and at distribution. These products concerned are bread flour, baguette, beef, pork and mutton, refined table oil, local rice. 468 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies March 9, 2022, Côte d'Ivoire capped the prices of building materials, transport rates, house rents in social housing, public water and electricity tariffs and internet service access tariffs. The program is valid for 3 months. 469 August 6, 2022, Côte d'Ivoire announced extension of the list of housing allowance beneficiaries to include every civil servant and state personnel. The housing allowance has also been increased to XAF20,000 (US$31) monthly. 470 August 6, 2022, Côte d'Ivoire announced monthly transport and family Unconditional cash transfers allowance has also been increased from XOF2,500 (US$3.8) to Social Assistance XOF7,500 (US11.6) per child for every civil servant and state personnel. 471 August 6, 2022, Côte d'Ivoire increased family allowance to XOF5,000 (US$7.7) per child for state pensioners. 472 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions 185 On April 7, 2022, as part of the strengthening of the fight against the high cost of living, Côte d'Ivoire provided agricultural inputs to women in the agricultural sector from the Marahoué region. It included seeds from market gardeners and rice, fertilizer, ricycles, trucks, tractors, mini-harvesters, and thresher-winnowers. The expenditure on the measure is over 2 billion CFA francs. 473 On July 15, 2022, AfDB has granted a loan of €151.18 million to Côte d’Ivoire to implement its Emergency Food Production Plan. The plan is also supported by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the tune of €68.14 million. This funding will enable Côte d’Ivoire to increase its national production of rice, maize and cassava, Unconditional in-kind transfers to cope with soaring food prices. Certified climate-resilient hybrid (food, vouchers, others) seed varieties will be obtained from local seed producers and distributed to the country’s farmers. The program will also offer support for supervisory opportunities, access to information and the establishment of an agro-climatic early warning system in flood-prone areas. Besides seed distribution, the program will also support the procurement of 56,096 tons of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers and 28,048 tons of urea. The program will also strengthen access to financing mechanisms to improve the accessibility of agricultural inputs and good farming practices through its dissemination services. The program will benefit approximately 800,000 small farmers of whom 30% are women, including rural and vulnerable populations, young people, aggregators, distributors and vendors of agricultural inputs. 474 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) 186 Labor market regulations Wage subsidies Wage increase March 9, 2022, Côte d'Ivoire imposed the requirement of prior authorization for the export of any food product to foreign countries. Export/import restriction Trade In particular the plantain banana, yams, local rice, cassava and its derivatives, in particular attiéké, and maize and its derivatives. 475 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 187 Croatia Fuel subsidies The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development announced that the government would adopt a directive on April 17 to buffer the fuel price hike by doing away with the obligation for distributors to mix biofuel with diesel and petrol until the end of the year. The government assessment was that it would enable distributors to reduce prices by about HRK 0.50. 476 On 17 October 2022, the government adopted a new Regulation establishing the highest retail prices of petroleum products at the level as it has been for the previous two weeks: eg HKR 10.72 (€1.42)/liter for gasoline; HKR 12.3 (€1.6)/liter for diesel; HKR8.49 (€1.18)/liter for blue diesel. 477 Food subsidies [8 August 2022] Basic food staples also saw a price regulation by the Croatian government, like oil, flour, sugar, pork, chicken and milk, lowering current prices by 30% and capping it at that price. 478 [8 September 2022] Support for student centers so that students meals price remain unchanged from HRK 6.50. Value of the measure: HRK Subsidies 75 million (EUR 9.95 million) 479 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies [8 September 2022] Aid for rising costs to fisherman, growrs and processors in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Number of users is 700 and the value of the measure amounts to HRK 240 million (EUR 31.9 million). 480 Fees subsidies In late February, Croatia government presented a €636 million package to mitigate the growth of energy prices. The package aims to contain energy price increases to 9.6 percent for electricity and 20 percent for gas. 481 [8 September 2022] Cheaper electricity is provided at the level of universal service for household with an average price of €62/ MWh. Applies to: kindergartens, schools, colleges, institutes, libraries, museums, hospitals, health institutions, homes for the elderly and infirm, etc., associations, religious communities, parish offices, etc., municipalities, cities, counties, utility companies - water and drainage systems. The value of the measure is HRK 1 billion (EUR 132.7 million). 482 188 [8 September 2022] The amount of support directly on the bill is 10 Lipa per kWh, which is about 20% of the projected price of €66 per MWh, and the discount is shown on the bill as a separate item. 483 [8 September 2022] For half-yearly consumption of up to 250,000 kWh (from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023), cheaper price of electricity at a single tariff is HRK 0.5295/kWh. For half-yearly consumption above 250,000 kWh, according to the single tariff, the price of HRK 1.356210/kWh was determined and the average price is €180/ MWh. 484 [8 September 2022] Unchanged unit price of thermal energy for all thermal systems in the 2022-2023 heating season. For households and entrepreneurs in central (CTS) and closed (ZTS) thermal systems, the price per kWh does not change. The measure covers 159,000 customers and over 98% of delivered thermal energy. Value of the measure: HRK 1.475 billion (EUR 195.8 million). 485 [8 September 2022] Limited prices of liquefied petroleum gas (propane-butane). Due to the increase in prices, margins will be limited next week and the price of liquefied petroleum gas will be reduced. 486 [8 September 2022] Measures related to energy efficiency of houses and apartment buildings. Performance of improvement works: thermal outer envelope; installation of modern energy systems; increase in earthquake and fire resistance of the house; accessibility for disabled people; charging stations for electric vehicles. For family houses the number of users is 10,000 and the amount of the measure is up to HRK 500 million. For multi-apartment buildings, the number of users: 300 and the amount of the measure is up to HRK 500 million. 487 On 8 September 2022, the government announced a 21 billion kuna (€2.8 billion) package that introduced a cap on energy prices. From 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023, households will pay €59/MWh, or €88/MWh when consuming above 2,500 kW. The value of the measure is HRK 3.108 billion (EUR 412 million). 488, 489 189 [8 September 2022] The coverage of persons in the status of an endangered buyer of energy products has been increased from 65 to 70 thousand (users of the guaranteed minimum compensation, personal disability benefits and other groups). For vulnerable buyers of energy products and foster parents, the previously increased monthly fee from HRK 200 (€26.54) to HRK 400 (€53.09) is increased to HRK 500 (€66.36). Until March 31, 2023. 490 [8 September 2022] Beneficiaries of the guaranteed minimum benefit will be provided with the cost of housing, communal fees, heating and water services, until March 31, 2023. 491 [8 September 2022] One-time fee for pensioners. Energy supplement for 690,000 pensioners with a pension of up to HRK 4,360 (€578.67). Average transfer amount is 102.55 euro. Amount of the measure: HRK 450 million (€59.7 million) 492 [8 September 2022] Payment of monthly cash income for unemployed Unconditional cash transfers persons on 1 September 2022 of HRK 250 per month (€33.18). Social Assistance Duration of the measure is for October, November and December 2022. Value of the measure: HRK 65.8 million (EUR 8.7 million). 493 [8 September 2022] Payment of special cash income for beneficiaries of child allowance, with average transfer size of 92.88 euro depending on number of children (from 39.8 eur for one child to 145.99 eur for 5+ children). Beneficiaries caught in the payment of child allowance in September exercise their right 2022, and those whose rights exercise procedure is ongoing. The financial support will be paid in October 2022. Estimated number of users: 130 thousand users. Estimated amount of the measure: HRK 62 million (EUR 8.2 million). 494 [8 September 2022] Larger scholarships and support for student centers. Student scholarships based on socio-economic status. 2,000 additional scholarships: (total 12,000 instead of 10,000). Scholarship increase to HRK 1,506.90 (EUR 200), instead of HRK 1,200 (159 euros). Value of the measure: HRK 45 million (EUR 5.97 million). 495 Conditional cash transfers 190 Social pensions [March 2022] Transfers to vulnerable groups: coupons for energy to elderly poor, pensioners. The package from Croatia government aims Unconditional in-kind transfers to address the most vulnerable energy customers, estimated to be over (food, vouchers, others) 90,000. This extends the number of eligible people who receive vouchers for both electricity and gas bills. For them social transfers were increased from HRK 200 to 400. 496, 497 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [8 September 2022] Increase in the lowest pension. Regular adjustment of all pensions twice a year of 3% for more than 278,000 Social Insurance Pensions beneficiaries from January 1, 2023. Value of the measure: HRK 199 million (EUR 26.4 million). 498 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing [8 September 2022] Higher tax-free amount of receipt. Recognizing the needs of young people, we have already made a decision to increase the tax-free amount of income for pupils and students from Tax Direct tax HRK 15,000 to HRK 24,000 (for 60%) who, during their education, want to join the labor market and want to gain work experience, as well as additional income. The mentioned measure also includes 191 realized receipts in 2022. Value of the measure: HRK 246 million (EUR 32.6 million). 499 [8 September 2022] Non-taxable receipts. These measures open up space for entrepreneurs to stimulate employees through an increase in tax-free receipts: i) occasional awards by 66.67% ii) monetary awards for work results by 50% iii) a gift for a child in kind and a gift up to 15 years of age by 66.67% (individually) iv) food allowance for employees by 20% v) allowance for the use of a private car for official purposes by 50% vi) future pensioners where tax-free income increases by 25% Value of the measure: HRK 580 million (EUR 76.9 million). 500 March 7, 2022, Croatia decided to lock margins on petroleum product transactions and to temporarily reduce excise duties on diesel and gasoline in order to lower fuel prices. As a result, the total margin on diesel and petrol was locked at HRK 0.75 per liter, and at HRK 0.50 per liter for blue-dyed diesel. Amendments to legislation on excise duties have reduced excise duties by HRK 0.20 per liter of unleaded gasoline for 90 days, and the reduction for diesel is HRK 0.40 per liter. 501, 502 March 20, 2022, Croatia has permanently reduced VAT on gas from 25 to 13 percent. In addition, the rate for gas will temporarily fall to 5 percent, in the period from the beginning of April this year to the end of March 2023. 503, 504, 505 Indirect tax On July 28, 2022, Croatia adopted guidelines for saving energy in the Republic of Croatia for the period from August 1, 2021 to March 31, 2023, which, among other things, propose cheaper electricity tariffs (i.e., VAT). 506 [8 September 2022] In order to encourage the transition to renewable energy sources, VAT is abolished for the delivery and installation of solar panels. Users: households and the non-profit sector. Value of the measure: HRK 25 million (EUR 3.3 million). 507 [8 September 2022] In order to achieve energy security for the delivery of heating from thermal stations, VAT is reduced to 5%, which includes fees for the delivery of firewood, pellets, briquettes and wood chips until March 31, 2023. Users: households and 192 entrepreneurs. Value of the measure : HRK 200 million (EUR 26.5 million). 508 193 Curaçao Fuel subsidies In May 2022, the government announced the introduction of a fuel subsidy of 24 cents per liter. On August 15th it was extended and set to last for 3 months. On November 13, 2022 a decision will be made Subsidies on whether to extend it further or make any changes. 509 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 194 Export/import easing Direct tax April 5th, the government announced a reduction in the excise fuel tax Tax by 25% in order to reduce the price of fuel paid by residents. Indirect tax Additionally, it will remove a cumulative OB sales tax. These two tax reductions will cost the government NAF $27 million this year. 510 195 Cyprus Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On May 26, 2022, Cyprus is increasing grants up to 50 percent for households that put thermal insulation and solar panels on their roofs in a 20-million euro ($21.39 million) scheme to push energy efficiency. This measure pertains to helping homeowners reduce electricity costs that have soared in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 511 Subsidies On July 28, 2022, Cyprus said that the state would absorb a sizeable chunk of cost increases in energy to buffer anticipated rises of up to 25 per cent in bills for households and businesses to the tune of €50 million in the autumn. The scheme will cover the period September- December, applying to electricity consumption on EAC bills from July through to October. The new package comes in addition to the packages already implemented, the cost of which exceeded €300 million. Petrides said the subsidy would cover both residential, commercial and industrial users of bi-monthly tariffs, thus supporting 449,000 households and 111,500 businesses. 512 Unconditional cash transfers On April 2022, The Cyprus Council of Ministers approved a 1.5- million-euro subsidy scheme this week for purchases of solar power batteries, charging stations electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars and the installation of photovoltaic systems at homes. Apart from Social Assistance purchase of photovoltaic systems and EV charging stations, the Conditional cash transfers scheme also covers the purchase of batteries to store energy generated by solar panels. Individuals who own EVs or plug-in hybrid cars are eligible. The subsidy is €750 per kilowatt covering the installation or the extension of an existing photovoltaic system, with a maximum amount of €1,500 per vehicle. The grants amount to €600 for the purchase of an EV or plug-in hybrid charging station, €450 for the 196 upgrade of a home’s electric installation, and €750/KW for the purchase or installation of a battery with a maximum amount of €2,000. 513 Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 197 Czech Republic Fuel subsidies In June 2022, the government announced to be setting aside €1.1 bln to assist households with the energy bills during the heating season. The mechanism to pass these fundings to consumers will be for the State to pay in full the renewables surcharge from October to December 2023. 514 On March 6, 2022, Czech Republic planned to cap prices for petrol, diesel and other energy. [Update] On 27 September 2022, the government approved the new draft budget law that allocates CZK 100 billion (€4 billion) to cap the price of electricity and gas. For households prices are capped at 6 CZK (€0.24) per KWh of electricity (corresponding to €200/MWh) and 3 CZK (€0.12) for gas, and the changes should be implemented from November deposit payments. 515, 516 Subsidies Food subsidies On March 6, 2022, Czech Republic planned to cap prices for food and other raw materials. 517 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies June 1, 2022, Czech Republic has decided to introduce a so-called energy- saving tariff starting 1 October. This is intended to provide households with a fixed amount of support in order to enable them to pay their energy costs. A total of 30.5 bn crowns (approx. €1.3 bn) has been earmarked for this in the budget. [Update] This allowance will be reflected as a discount on the bill from the energy company. The final amount consumers pay depends on the energy consumption usage within each household, but the average amount of savings per heating season is expected to be around CZK 15,000 (€ 610). 518 [June 2022] A one-time payment for children of 5,000 crowns (approx. €200) was approved in June. This regulation applies only to families whose annual gross income is less than 40,000 crowns (approx. €1,600). According to the ministry, 1.1 million households are entitled to the benefit. About 1.6 million children could receive it. Starting on 14 August 2022, families can Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers apply online or at Czech Points. Expenditures should amount to about 7.8 billion crowns. 519, 520 [June 2022] Households that use electricity for lighting, heating or cooking can receive a one-off support of up to CZK 11 000 from the state. 521 198 [1 April 2022] The government approved an increase in the living and subsistence minimum in response to the current household situation of high inflation and rising energy prices. The living and subsistence minimum increased by 10 % and affects some other social benefits. More money will also be given to those, who receive subsistence allowance, housing allowance, foster care allowance or extraordinary immediate assistance. The subsistence minimum is increased from CZK 2,490 to CZK 2,740 and the living minimum is increased from CZK 3,860 to CZK 4,250. 522 [August 2022] The contribution for housing will complement the subsidised energy tariff over the 2022-2023 heating season. You are entitled to a housing allowance if your housing costs (rent, electricity, gas, water, etc.) are higher than 30% (35% in Prague) of your net income. You can apply for it up to three months in advance and the average amount distributed is CZK 4,100 (about €168) per month. 523, 524 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [August 2022] The aid packed includes a 2,500-crown increase in Social Insurance Pensions pensions. 525 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase 199 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing On March 6, 2022, Czech Republic planned to provide discount for the taxpayer. 526 Direct tax On April 25, 2022, it is reported that Czech Republic cancelled road taxes for cars, buses and trucks up to twelve tons for the whole 2022. 527, 528 On March 6, 2022, Czech Republic planned to reduce excise duty or VAT on Tax the prices of petrol, diesel and other energy, food and other raw materials. [July 2022] The Czech government has approved the lowering of excise Indirect tax duties on petrol and diesel by 1.50 CZK a liter. At present the tax on petrol is CZK 12.84 a liter and the tax on diesel is CZK 9.95 a liter. The new measure will be in place from the start of June to the end of September. 529, 530 200 Denmark Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies In early September, the Government announced a proposed intervention in the electricity market. The plan is to allow consumers to delay payment on their upcoming energy bills over a 5-year period for anything exceeding the level of their bills from last autumn. This loan scheme will create credit lines costing 6.05 billion euro for the Danish government. 531 On March 30, Denmark approved one-off cash payout to families hard hit by high heating bills as a result of the energy crisis. The amount was increased from 3,750 to 6,000 DKK, and the amount of households to receive it increased from 300,000 to 419,000. The ‘heating cheques’ are set to arrive in August or September. This is an increase from a previous similar program from February. On the 10th of August, the heating check agreed in February was paid out to 400,000 households. This increased the cost of the measure by Unconditional cash transfers €190 million, to €320 mm. 532, 533 On June 24, 2022, Danish lawmakers have agreed a cash handout to the elderly and other measures totaling 3.1 billion Danish crowns ($439 million) Social Assistance to cushion the impact of soaring inflation and high energy prices, the finance ministry said on Friday. Elderly people on low incomes will each receive a tax-free handout of 5,000 crowns. Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits 201 Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On 24 June 2022, Denmark will temporarily reduce tax on electricity starting from the fourth quarter of this year as a means of "compensation to citizens for its rising energy prices". The tax cut will reduce the electricity tax by 4 ore (0.57 U.S. cents) per kilowatt hour (kwh) in the October-December period to Tax 72.3 ore (10 U.S. cents), according to a cross-party agreement released Friday Indirect tax on the website of the Danish Ministry of Finance. The new policy will remain valid next year, slashing the electricity tax by 4.3 ore (0.61 U.S. cents) per kwh to 68.8 ore (9.8 U.S. cents). The agreement acknowledges that lower electricity tax will cost the state 475 million Danish kroner (67.4 million U.S. dollars) in revenue. 534 202 Djibouti Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On March 10, 2022, Djibouti implemented a subsidy on necessities Subsidies and, control of the prices at which they are sold on the market. 535, 536 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On June 29, 2022, the World Bank allotted a grant of $30 million to protect Djibouti’s poor and vulnerable communities and to increase resilience to economic shocks. Out of which component 1 costs $22 million and will support the horizontal scale-up of the national safety net program by providing targeted transfers in cash and in-kind to the poor and vulnerable households affected by drought, food, and fuel price increases. New coverage is expected to reach a total of 86,200 new beneficiaries (15,000 households) and 2,200 students. Of these, about 28,733 beneficiaries (approximately 5,000 are new urban households) who have access to bank accounts and will receive Unconditional cash transfers benefits through the account. A combination of geographical, community-based, categorical and Proxy-Means Targeting mechanisms will be used in a complementary way to identify beneficiaries and minimize exclusion and inclusion errors that may arise from inadequate coverage of the social registry and biases that Social Assistance result from community beneficiary identification. Support to target households will be provided for an estimated maximum of eight calendar quarters equivalent to 24 months and paid quarterly. The benefit level is fixed at the current safety net amount equivalent to Djiboutian Francs (DJF) 10,000 (approximately US$56) per household per month for cash transfers. 537 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On March 10, 2022, it was reported that Dijbouti provided food support for the benefit of 10,000 families from the most modest Unconditional in-kind transfers community fringe of the society. 538, 539 (food, vouchers, others) On June 29, 2022, the World Bank allotted a grant of $30 million to protect Djibouti’s poor and vulnerable communities and to increase 203 resilience to economic shocks. Out of which component 1 costs $22 million and will support the horizontal scale-up of the national safety net program by providing targeted transfers in cash and in-kind to the poor and vulnerable households affected by drought, food, and fuel price increases. New coverage is expected to reach a total of 86,200 new beneficiaries (15,000 households) and 2,200 students. Of these, 57,467 beneficiaries (approximately 10,000 households) are located in rural households areas where the impacts of the crisis have been disproportionate and the delivery of benefits will be inkind (in form of food) to respond to current emergency needs for consumption. A combination of geographical, community-based, categorical and Proxy-Means Targeting mechanisms will be used in a complementary way to identify beneficiaries and minimize exclusion and inclusion errors that may arise from inadequate coverage of the social registry and biases that result from community beneficiary identification. Support to target households will be provided for an estimated maximum of eight calendar quarters equivalent to 24 months and paid quarterly. The benefit level is fixed at the current safety net amount equivalent to US$73 for in-kind transfers. 540 On June 29, 2022, the World Bank allotted a grant of $30 million to protect Djibouti’s poor and vulnerable communities and to increase resilience to economic shocks. Out of which component 1 costs $22 million and will support the horizontal scale-up of the national safety net program by providing targeted transfers in cash and in-kind to the poor and vulnerable households affected by drought, food, and fuel price increases. New coverage is expected to reach a total of 86,200 new beneficiaries (15,000 households) and 2,200 students. Of which, Conditional in-kind transfers the 2,200 are students from extremely rural areas where providing (school feeding) meals at university sites remains challenging and sustaining studying without meals is of high concern. A combination of geographical, community-based, categorical and Proxy-Means Targeting mechanisms will be used in a complementary way to identify beneficiaries and minimize exclusion and inclusion errors that may arise from inadequate coverage of the social registry and biases that result from community beneficiary identification. Support to target households will be provided for an estimated maximum of eight calendar quarters equivalent to 24 months and paid quarterly. The 204 benefit level is fixed at the current safety net amount equivalent to US$73 for in-kind transfers. 541 Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 205 Dominica Fuel subsidies On September 6th, the government announced new price controls for fuel. This is accomplished through two measures, one being a government subsidy to the landing cost of gasoline and diesel of EC Subsidies $0.85 per gallon and EC$0.21 per gallon respectively. 542, 543 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 206 Export/import easing Direct tax On July 27, 2022, Dominica announced a new budget which includes the elimination of VAT for electricity starting on August 1. This new measure sees an increase in the energy usage that will be considered Tax free from VAT from an existing 100 kWh to 150 kWh. Usage above Indirect tax 150 kWh will still be charged a VAT. This applies to all users who get their electricity from Dominica Electricity Services (DOMLEC). 544, 545 On September 6th, the government announced new price controls for fuel. This is accomplished through two measures, one is the waiving of the customs service charge (customs duty) on fuel. 546, 547 207 Dominican Republic Fuel subsidies On March 7th, the President announced various measures to stabilize prices. One of these is a price freeze on all gasoline products to March 4th prices through the use of a subsidy. This will apply for as long as the price of a barrel of oil is between US$85 and US$115 according to the West Texas Index (WTI). This measure will last for a duration of 4 months and is expected to cost the government between 9.6 billion and 16 billion pesos for the 4 months. 548 Food subsidies On March 7th, the President announced various measures to stabilize Subsidies prices. One of these measures is a subsidy on certain imported food items of up to 10%. These include: corn, wheat, soy, flour, and vegetable oil. This is set to last for 6 months. This is expected to cost the government 3 billion pesos. 549 On April 9th, the government announced that there will be a price freeze on most food products so as to ensure everyone can afford it. 550 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies [27 February 2022] The government plans to incorporate 400,000 new households to the gas (LPG) cash transfer component (Bono Gas), reaching around 1.4 million households in 2022 and to top up the size Unconditional cash transfers of this benefit to RD$470 per month per household (from RD$228). This measure is estimated to cost RD$ 4,382.14 million (US$ 79.5 Million). 551, 552 [27 February 2022] Under the umbrella of the social assistance strategy and program (SUPERATE), the government plans to Social Assistance incorporate 300,000 new households to the conditional cash transfer nutrition and food component (Alimentate) due to higher food prices. Conditional cash transfers The size of the transfer is RD$1650 per month per household, up from RD$825, according to SUPERATE administrative resolution 0023- 2022 reaching around 1.65 million households by the end of 2022 with this cash transfer. This measure is estimated to cost RD$ 4,950 million (US$ 89.76 Million). 553, 554 Social pensions 208 Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 209 Ecuador Fuel subsidies On May 19th, Ecuador’s president announced a new price freezing mechanism for fuel which will keep the price of gasoline at US$1.75 per liter and diesel at US$1 per liter. 555 In response to the demands of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) in the context of the indigenous protests of 2022, on June 30, 2022, the president signed the Decree 467 that establishes maximum fuel retail prices of up to USD 2.40 per galon for Extra and Extra con Etanol and up to USD 1.75 for Diesel 2 and Diesel Premium. This represents a price reduction of USD 0.15 for each type of the fuels. The cost of the subsidy increases by USD 350 Subsidies million, meaning that the total fuel subsidy (including domestic gas) will reach at least $3.35 billion for the year 2022. 556 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies In response to the demands of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) in the context of the indigenous protests of 2022, on June 18, 2022, the president of Ecuador announced the signing of Decree 456 which establishes the subsidy of 50% of the cost of urea for small and medium agricultural producers as of July 1, 2022. The government is investing USD 27 million between July and December 2022 in the subsidy for the 50 kg bag of urea, which has an average price of more than USD 54. 557 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works 210 Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 211 Egypt Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Egypt’s Armed Forces, under the directives of the President, has launched a nationwide campaign to provide low-cost food commodities to help reduce the burden of hiking prices on Egyptians ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The food commodities are available for purchase at 1,200 mobile outlets, 212 fixed outlets and 62 major outlets across the country. The Armed Forces distributed 1.5 million food ration boxes in the market with a discount reaching up to 60 percent as part of their continued efforts to supply basic food commodities at reasonable prices to meet the demands of the Egyptian people. (Update, July 2022), The President announced enhancing food security for poor families, mothers and children, by expanding the delivery of subsidized food commodities at half the cost, at a rate of 2 million boxes per month, to be distributed at the armed forces outlets. 558 Subsidies On March 22, 2022, the Egyptian government fixed the price of I kilogram of bread to 11.5 Egyptian pounds ($0.63). The regulation applies to non-subsidized bakeries. Violators could face fines between $5,500 and $275,000 if caught. Egypt’s wheat supply has been significantly affected by the Russian-Ukraine crisis. Prior to the war, Egypt received around 80% of its wheat from the two countries, and prices have since skyrocketed. Egypt is one of the biggest wheat importers in the world. 559 The government launched Ahlan (Welcome) Ramadan Initiative to provide key staples and food commodities at low prices nationwide. They are 160 vendors taking part in this initiative offering discounts up to 30%. 560 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies The government announced in March 2022 the expansion of Takafol and Karama social protection program coverage to include an Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers additional 450,000 households (around 2 million people) with estimated budget of EGP2.7 billion (around US$150 million). On July 212 26th, the government gave directives to expand the number of families benefiting from the program by adding an additional one million families to the program, taking the number of the beneficiaries to more than 20 million citizens nationwide. 561, 562 Egypt’s National Alliance for Civil Development Work (NACDW) has allocated around EGP 2.4 billion to support 400,000 impoverished families on a monthly basis over one year amid the current global economic crisis. The NACDW will continue its social protection Wasl El-Khair initiative to provide nutritional, medical, and social care as well as economic empowerment opportunities to around five million families in 2022. 563 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions [July 2022] The President gave directives to the Ministry of Awqaf, in Unconditional in-kind transfers partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, to distribute (food, vouchers, others) sacrificial meat throughout the year.564 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance On March 21, 2022, the government announced the allocation of EGP 190.5 billion to increase pensions by 13% (with a minimum of EGP 120 per pensioner). This will take effect in April instead of July.565 In July 2022, the GoE announced disbursing exceptional aid to 9 Social Insurance Pensions million families for the next 6 months, at a total cost of about one billion pounds per month for the neediest families and pensioners, who receive a monthly pension of less than 2,500 pounds, as well as workers in the state’s administrative apparatus who receive a salary of less than 2,700 pounds per month. 566 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 213 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On March 10, 2022, Egypt announced to ban the export lentils, pasta, wheat, flour and fava beans for a duration of three months starting from March 11, 2022. On June 8, 2022, Egypt extended this ban for another 3 months. 567, 568 Export/import restriction Trade On March 12, 2022, Egypt announced to ban the exports of all kinds of vegetable oil and corn for three months starting from March 12, 2022. On June 10, 2022, Egypt decided to extend this ban for another 3 months. 569 Export/import easing On March 21, 2022, Egypt announced that income tax exemption limit Direct tax has been increased by 25 percent from EGP 24,000 to 30,000 per Tax individual. 570 Indirect tax 214 El Salvador Fuel subsidies On April 4th, Congress approved a new fuel subsidy aimed at creating a price control for gasoline and diesel that is set to last two months. 571 Subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies On July 1st, the government announced a plan to increase the minimum salary Wage increase by 20% starting in August. This plan is still awaiting full approval. 572 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing 215 Direct tax On March 14, 2022, El Salvador implemented various measures to curb the rising prices. One of these was the elimination of various taxes related to fuel. One of which was the Fondo de Estabilización para el Fomento Económico (FEFE) which was US$0.16 per gallon of gasoline and is set to last for 3 months. The elimination of this tax alone is estimated to cost the government US$11.5 million in lost revenue. 573 Tax On March 11th, the government announced a package of measures set to Indirect tax reduce the effects of rising prices. One of these was the elimination of customs duties for some 20 basic necessity products, mainly food and fertilizer. This measure was set to last one year and expire in March of 2023. In June, the government added beef and cow meat products to the list of products that will have 0 customs duties until March 2023. As of September 6th, the government has lost USD $16.8 million in potential revenue due to the waiving of the custom duty for these products. 574, 575, 576 216 Estonia Fuel subsidies [January 2022] The natural gas price cap measure for household customers applied to January, February and March, with the cap set at 6.5 cents per kWh on gas consumption up to 2.75 mWh per month. The portion of bills exceeding this cap was compensated. 577, 578 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On October 14, 2021, Estonia announced an energy price subsidy for low-income families. If the price goes above 60 euros per MWh, then that difference will be compensated directly to these families. Initially expected to reach 70,000 households with funds coming from the sale of CO2 emission credits, this was extended at the end of 2021 to include a wider group of households, bringing the number of beneficiaries to 380,000 and the total cost to 79 million euros. As of April 20th, Estonia has spent around 170 million euros in compensation for high energy prices. This sum is for some 7 measures which were implemented starting in October 2021 and were extended and expanded throughout this period. Household customers' district heating bills were compensated in the amount of 65 percent of the portion of heating bills to exceed October 2021 figures. [22 September 2022] For gas and central heating people will be compensated for 80% of the price increases. There is no need to make any application for this. People will automatically have their bills reduced by this subsidy from October 2022. 579, 580, 581, 582 Subsidies [January 2022]The compensation of electricity network fees proved the most expensive measure for the state. While the measure initially covered half the cost of network fees for all users, beginning in January, network fees were paid in full for institutions and businesses, bringing the total price tag of the measure, which expired at the end of March, to €103.7 million. Under this measure, a total of €12 million was paid out in October, €13 million in November, €15 million in December, and more than €20 million each month from January through March. Another €21.4 million was spent on compensating gas network fees for both household customers and business consumers. Gas network fees were covered in full for all users from December through March. Network fees were highest in December, costing a total of €6.4 million. 583 For the months of February and March, household customers received support in the total amount of €13.5 million, or €6.8 million and €6.7 million, respectively, to cover the increase in the cost of district heating. Household customers' district heating bills were compensated in the amount of 65 percent of the portion of heating bills to exceed October 2021 figures. 584 On 20 January 2022, the Estonian government approved a cap on electricity (€0.12/KWh) for households. 585 217 [22 September 2022] In the 2023 national budget, the Government has included energy subsidies, which is EUR 50 per megawatt-hour of electricity for domestic consumers, 80% of which the Government will compensate for the price increases, which will go above EUR 80 per megawatt-hour. 586 [22 September 2022] The Government is increasing child benefits to EUR 80. 587 Unconditional cash transfers [22 September 2022] The Government is increasing large family benefits by a full 50%. 588 Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [22 September 2022] Pensions will increase significantly: next year, with the extraordinary Social Pensions pension increase and indexation, pensions should rise by more than €100, and the average Insurance pension will be exempt from income tax. 589 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Wage subsidies [22 September 2022] The government announced that teachers' salaries will rise by 23%. And Labor the estimated average teacher's salary will be more than €2000. The jump in teachers' minimum Market salary is from €1,412 to €1,749. 590 Wage increase [22 September 2022] Salaries are also going up in other priority areas, such as rescuers, social workers, police officers. The salary of a frontline worker and rescuer, which currently stands at a minimum of €1,190, will rise to €1,620. This means a pay rise of 36% and at least €430 more per month for every frontline rescuer next year. The pay rises for the emergency services, where staff will be paid EUR 1,631. In the police, the current minimum frontline wage of 218 €1,575 will rise to €1,849. This means a 17% pay rise. This will ensure that next year the minimum wage of a police officer will be the Estonian average, i.e. the wage increase will be €274 per month, and in essence a police officer will receive at least two extra monthly salaries next year. There will be aalos a significant increase in salaries in the Academy of the Interior, on average 25%. 591 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing [22 September 2022] As of 1 January, the income tax-free minimum will be €654 per month. Direct tax Tax This will also help the lowest earners. 592 Indirect tax 219 Eswatini Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On 28 July 2022, Eswatini announced payments for the input subsidy for farmers starting from 1 August 2022. Payments shall be done when the target has been reached or by the end of October 2022, whichever comes first. The payments shall be done at Eswatini bank and EPTC. The average projected cost for the packages is approximately E14000 for maize, E12000 for Subsidies beans and E7000 for sorghum. These packages will cover an area equivalent to one hectare. The farmer is expected to contribute 35% and government will contribute the balance of 65%. N.B. that this shall only apply to this current season and from next year farmers are expected to contribute the normal 50%. Also, farmers can pay up to 3ha maximum compared to the 1ha maximum that was used in the past years. The prices are as follows: 1. Maize – E4900 (Farmer) and E9100 (Government); 2. Beans – E4200 (Farmers) and E7800 (Government); 3. Sorghum – E2450 (Farmer) and E4550 (Government). 593 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Labor Training (vocational, life skills, others) Market Labor market regulations 220 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 221 Ethiopia Fuel subsidies Subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On September 20th, 2022, the World Bank approved the Additional Financing of ($37.5 million from CRW) for the Strengthening Ethiopia’s Adaptive Safety Net (SEASN) to alleviating unprecedented levels of food insecurity across Ethiopia due to multiple shocks including drought, conflict, desert locust infestation, floods, inflation and the impact of the war in Ukraine. Started in 2005, the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) – which the SEASN project supports - is the largest safety net program in Sub-Saharan Africa. It provides transfers (cash and food) to around 8 million chronically food insecure people during a normal year (when there are no large-scale shocks). It is co-financed by the Government of Ethiopia, the World Bank and nine other Development Partners including USAID and the European Union. The PSNP has proven to be an effective vehicle for scaling up safety net transfers Unconditional cash transfers vertically (extending duration of support to program beneficiaries) and horizontally (adding new transitory food insecure people who are not consistently covered by the program) through its shock response mechanism. Through the CERC, an additional 1.4 million beneficiaries will receive between three and four rounds of assistance (provided in monthly intervals). A total of Social 5.5-million-person months of transfer will be financed through this AF. Subsequent months of Assistance transfer will be supported by other financing sources (and possibly other operators). The resources will be used in Somali region (Siti, Fafan,Dollo, Korahe, Shebele, Afder, Liban, Dawa), Oromia region (West Hararghe, East Hararghe, Guji, West Guji Borena), SNNPR (South Omo) and in Afar (Zones 1 and 2). Direct beneficiaries of the Additional Financing will be vulnerable households affected by drought shocks who are included in the program on a temporary basis. 594 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works 222 Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction On April 8, 2022, Ethiopia passed a directive allowing franco-valuta imports of essential food commodities without foreign exchange permits. With the new decision, the government lifted the foreign exchange permit conditions imposed previously — a minimum import threshold of Trade $250,000 and verification of the source of foreign currency with the National Bank of Export/import easing Ethiopia -- in April 2021. But now the food commodities approved for direct importation through the franco-valuta scheme are wheat, rice, sugar, edible oils, and instant baby milk. It now removed the foreign exchange permit requirements for franco-valuta imports amidst a shortage of essential food commodities and rising inflation in the country. 595 Direct tax In September 2021, Ethiopia removed tariffs and taxes levied on imports of food commodities Tax such as wheat, sugar, rice, and edible oils to stabilize the rising food inflation in the country. Indirect tax The tariff and tax removal will stay in effect for an unspecified period from the date of public announcement. 596 223 Fiji Fuel subsidies Subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On July 18, 2022, To help cope with rising prices, Fiji’s 2022-2023 budget includes a child benefit payable to parents with a combined annual income of less than $50,000 and with children under the age of 18, in the amount of $180 per child (only for children below 18 years) over a 6-month period, or $30 per month per child, to be paid out in two phases. An online platform will be developed through which parents can apply. Applications will be verified through the Birth Registration Number (BRN) to ensure the applicant and child details are correct. All applicants currently receiving Energy Fiji Limited subsidy, Water Authority of Fiji subsidy, and students on transportation assistance will automatically qualify as they are already assessed to be earning less than $50,000 annual income: all other applicants will have to go through an additional process of income verification via FRCS and FNPF; and those in the informal sector will have to do so via statutory declaration. 597 On July 22, 2022, Government pensioners and After Care Fund recipients will receive a direct Unconditional cash transfers additional top-up of $180 to their accounts on August 31, 2022 (aligned with their next Social pension payment date). Similarly, all social welfare recipients will also receive a direct Assistance additional top-up of $180 to their accounts on September 5, 2022 aligned to their next welfare payment date. Approximately $18 million will be paid to more than 90,000 social welfare recipients and around 8,000 Government pensioners and After Care Fund recipients. 598 On July 29, 2022, The Ministry for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation (MWCPA) has further announced a revised Bus Fare Allowance Payment Schedule. The bus fare allowance refers to the subsidy scheme of the Fijian Government that assists older persons (aged 60+) and persons living with disabilities (approx. 51,700 individuals altogether). As per the Fijian Government Budget Announcement in July 2022, MWCPA will continue to pay the Busfare Top Up as a lump sum to cover 3 months travel allowance. This payment will be made by the 5th date of every quarter. The next quarterly payment of $75 will be paid by August 5, 2022. 599 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions 224 Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 225 Finland Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies [1 September 2022] Finland proposed that early childhood education fees be reduced permanently by EUR 70 million. 600 [1 September 2022] The private day care allowance consists of a care allowance and a care supplement. The care supplement is linked to income and its amount is affected by family size and gross income. Under the Government’s proposal, the full rate of the care supplement to the private day care allowance would be increased by 100 euros starting 1 March 2023. The increase would be permanent. Private day care allowances will also be index adjusted upwards on 1 January 2023. The maximum care supplement will go up from 155.24 euros to 161.69 euros per month starting 1 January 2023, and further to 265.85 euros per month starting 1 March 2023. 601 [1 September 2022] A child increase is paid to unemployment benefit recipients who provide for a minor child. Under the proposal, the child increase would be raised by 20%. The child increases to labour market subsidies and basic unemployment allowances will be raised by an additional 4.2% as an index adjustment measure. The new rates of the child increases starting 1 January 2023 would be as follows: Social Unconditional cash transfers Assistance - for one child, up from 5.61 euros to 7.01 euros per day - for two children, up from 8.23 euros to 10.29 euros per day - for three or more children, up from 10.61 euros to 13.26 euros per day 602 [1 September 2022] The basic amount of social assistance for children under 18 is currently between 282.47 euros and 373.08 euros per month. It varies both by the age of the child and the number of siblings. Under the proposal, the basic amount would be increased by 10% for the duration of 2023. The basic amount will also be index adjusted upwards on 1 January 2023. The rate of the basic amount of social assistance for children would next year vary between 327.51 euros and 421.88 euros per month. 603 [1 September 2022] Study grants can include a provider supplement if the recipient provides for a child under 18. Under the Government’s proposal, the provider supplement would be increased by 10 euros. Provider supplements will also be index adjusted upwards on 1 August 2023. The rates of the provider supplement would go up from 107.17 euros to 117.17 226 euros per month starting 1 January 2023, and further to 122.05 per month starting 1 August 2023. 604 [1 September 2022] The supplementary budget proposal for the autumn will propose that an additional month of child benefit be paid towards the end of 2022 without it affecting the level of income support. The effect of this measure on expenditure is estimated at about EUR 112 million. [1 September 2022] The Government will also prepare and introduce a separate financial support for electricity that will be available to households which are unable to make full use of the fixed-term tax credit. A variable appropriation of EUR 300 million will be reserved for the purpose. 605 [1 September 2022] The expenditure norm of the heating category for the housing allowance for pensioners will be raised as of 1 January 2023 under existing legislation. The increase that the rising energy prices is expected to generate is estimated at 57 per cent. The expenditure norm of the heating category for the general housing allowance and the expenditure norm of the maintenance category for single-family houses will be raised by a corresponding percentage as of 1 January 2023. The additional costs for 2023 are estimated at approximately EUR 6.3 million. 606 [1 September 2022] The meal allowance for students will be raised by EUR 0.25 per meal. 607 [1 September 2022] Child benefits can include a single-parent supplement if the recipient is not married, cohabiting or legally separated. The supplement is paid for each child eligible for a child benefit. Under the proposal, the single-parent supplement would be increased by 5 euros from its current amount of 63.30 euros per month to 68.30 euros per month starting 1 January 2023. 608 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave 227 Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing On February 18, 2022, the Finnish government announced measures to offset high energy prices with subsidies and tax cuts. As part of it, the maximum deduction for travel expenses between home and the workplace will be temporarily increased from EUR 7,000 to EUR 8,400 in taxes for 2022. This is provided in the form of tax exempt, as the commute to work will not be regarded as travel for tax purpose. 609, 610 On February 18, 2022, the Finnish government announced measures to offset high energy prices with subsidies and tax cuts. As part of it, a mileage allowance for commuting expenses when using one's own car will be temporarily increased to EUR 0.30/km (previously EUR 0.25/km). This is provided in the form of tax exempt, as the commute to work will not be regarded as travel for tax purpose. [1 September 2022] The increase in the deduction for commuting expenses will continue; in 2023 the deduction will be thirty cents per kilometre. Tax Direct tax The earned income deduction for people over 60 years of age will be increased in stages.611, 612 [1 September 2022] As an income tax measure, the Government will prepare and implement a fixed-term tax credit for electricity. In addition, the Government will prepare and implement a fixed-term financial support for electricity that will be available to households which cannot make full use of the tax credit. The fixed-term tax credit for electricity will be in force for four months, and it will be prepared in such a way that its estimated impact on tax revenue is EUR 300 million. 613 [1 September 2022] An index adjustment will be made to the bases for earned income tax at all income levels, which will reduce central government tax revenue by EUR 637 million on an annual basis. The aim of the index adjustment is to avoid an increase in the tax burden as a result of the progressive tax system and general increase in the income level.614 228 [1 September 2022] The Government proposes that the value-added tax on passenger transport be dropped to zero between January and April 2023. 615 Indirect tax [1 September 2022] The Government proposes that the value-added tax rate on electricity be lowered to 10 per cent for the period from December to April. 616 229 France Fuel subsidies From April 1, 2022 and for four months, a discount of €0.18 will be introduced at service stations to curb the rise in fuel prices. This aid, announced on 12 March, concerns private individuals and companies and is valid on all types of fuel. In Corsica, where VAT is lower, the discount will be €0.17. In the French overseas territories, where there is no VAT on petroleum products, it will be €0.15. The cost to the state is estimated at €3 billion. [25 April 2022] A targeted device will replace the 18-cent discount in the summer. The future device on the price of fuel should take into account the level of income, the type of vehicle, its consumption or the kilometers traveled. [July 2022] The current state-financed rebate of 18 cents per liter will be increased to 30 cents in September and October. [October 2022] The government’s 30-cent-per-litre discount on petrol and diesel in France is to be extended into November. 617, 618, 619, 620 [March 2022] Partially covering fuel costs amounting to €0.35 ($0.39) a liter for fishermen's boats until July 31, 2022 and €0.15 ($0.17) cents a liter for truckers. [November 2022] The governmnet has announced an extension to the fuel aid mechanism into next year. Fuel aid stays at €0.25 per litre and is available to commercial fishermen. This represents a financial commitment by the French state that could come to as much as €20 million, in addition to the €45 million already budgeted. 621, 622, 623 Subsidies The “Fuel allowance for employees" (of between 300 and 500 euros, depending on income and the distance to the workplace), which will apply to half of all people in the lower income bracket, or some 12 million households. From October this will take the form of a discount of 18 cents at the pump, to be progressively reduced until December. The total cost from now until the end of the year will be 4.6 billion euros. 624 [July 2022] "fuel allowance for employees" (of between 300 and 500 euros, depending on income and the distance to the workplace), which will apply to half of all people in the lower income bracket, or some 12 million households. From October this will take the form of a discount of 18 cents at the pump, to be progressively reduced until December. The total cost from now until the end of the year will be 4.6 billion euros. 625 From April 1, 2022, oil giant TotalEnergies will offer a discount of €0.10 per liter at domestic petrol stations. [July 2022] On July 22nd, the oil and gas giant promised to apply a discount at the pump of €0.20 per litre between September and November in all its service stations, then at 10 cents per litre over the rest of the year. 626, 627 230 [September 2022] Support of up to € 200 is also provided for French people heating with oil or wood. 628 [September 2022] An average increase limit in bills of around €25 per month for households heating with gas and an average increase limit in bills of around €20 per month for households heating with electricity. The cost is estimated at €1.8 billion for the energy bill support. 629 [October 2022] On 6 October 2022, the government officially presented the “Energy Sobriety” plan. The package provides financial support to households to change heating systems through the MaPrimeRenov program. The State will mobilize a total of €2.5 billion in 2023 to finance the MaPrimeRénov. 630 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Faced with the increase in the cost of animal feed, the government is implementing an exceptional measure by paying part of the additional cost of feed. With a budget of up to 400 million euros, this measure is targeted at farms that are heavily dependent on feed purchases and that will experience losses due to this increase. This aid will last for four months from April 1, 2022 with the first payments to be made within two months. 631 Fees subsidies [July 2022] The government set a price cap to limit rent increases to 3.5% and a 3.5% increase in housing subsidies. 632 On July 7, 2022, it is reported that France announced a 20-billion bill which also maintains a price cap on gas. [September 2022] On 14 September 2022, the government announced that the tariff shield, already extended until December 2022 for gas, will be renewed in 2023. The package includes capping the increase in gas prices at 15%. The cost is estimated at €11 billion for the gas price cap. 633, 634 On December 30, 2021, France announced that the increase in electricity prices has been limited to 4% in 2022. [September 2022] On 14 September 2022, the government announced that the tariff shield, already extended until 1 February 2023 for electricity, will be renewed in 2023. The package includes capping the increase in electricity prices at 15%. The cost is estimated at €5 billion for the electricity price cap. 635, 636 [October 2022] TotalEnergy offers a bonus between ranging from €30 to €120, depending on the energy savings achieved for households heating with electricity that reduce their electricity consumption by at least 5% between 31 November 2022 and 1 March 2023. 637 [April 2022] The Ministry of Solidarity and Health has announced that the regulatory increase Social Unconditional cash transfers from April 1 for several social benefits will be 1.8%. This concerns the active solidarity income Assistance (RSA) which will therefore be 575.32 euro per month for a single person without children. 638 231 [July 2022] The active solidarity income will be increased by 4%. This measure was voted in the package of measures for purchasing power, and was formalized in the Official Journal on July 17. Thus, an RSA beneficiary without children who received €575.52 per month will receive around €23 more, or €598. 639 [April 2022] The Ministry of Solidarity and Health has announced that the regulatory increase from April 1 for several social benefits will be 1.8%. This concerns the activity bonus paid to the most precarious workers (563.68 euros per month for a single person). [July 2022] The bill approved in July includes a 4% increase in the activity bonus for low-income workers. The amount varies according to income and family composition. Already revalued twice this year, the bonus crossed 1300 euros net on 1er May. In March, it concerned 4.6 million households, for a budget close to 10 billion euros. 640, 641 [May 2022] Private sector employees will benefit from the permanent tripling of the ceiling of the so-called "Macron" purchasing power bonus without taxes or charges. The bonus has been renewed in 2021 and can be paid until March 31st, 2022. It allows employers to pay a bonus exempt from income tax and social contributions to employees whose salary does not exceed a certain threshold. [July 2022] The bill approved in July extends this measure. [August 2022] The bonus, now renamed as the value sharing bonus (prime de partage de la valeur – PPV) was made permanent with some changes. From July 1, 2022, through 2023, employees earning below three times the SMIC may be paid an annual PPV of up to €3,000 (doubled if profit sharing is in place or there are under 50 employees), not subject to income tax or social security contributions. From 2024, all employees may be paid a PPV, up to the same limits, subject to income tax but not social security contributions. The PPV may be paid in up to four quarterly installments, to prevent it from replacing salary increases. Similar to the Macron bonus, companies that choose to pay a PPV must do so for all employees, though the amounts may vary by employee based on objective criteria (e.g., salary, job classification, working time). 642, 643, 644, 645, 646 [July 2022] The new bill also includes up to 4% on disability allowance, family benefits and scholarships for students. 647 [July 2022] The new bill envisions a 100-euro grant for the start of the school year (plus 50 euros per child) for 8 million households. 648 Conditional cash transfers [April 2022] The Ministry of Solidarity and Health has announced that the regulatory increase Social pensions from April 1 for several social benefits will be 1.8%. This concerns the disabled adult allowance (AAH), disability pensions and all family benefits. 649 232 On 15 September 2021, the government announced plans for a one-off €100 payment to the 5.8 million households that already receive energy vouchers. In October, the government augmented the number of beneficiaries of the voucher to everyone earning less than €2.000 per month net, that is, around 38 million people. 650, 651 On 15 September 2021, the government announced plans for a one-off €100 payment to the 5.8 million households that already receive energy vouchers. In October, the government augmented the number of beneficiaries of the voucher to everyone earning less than €2.000 per month net, that is, around 38 million people. 652, 653 Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, [March 2022] The government is considering giving special cheques to poor households to vouchers, others) compensate for increased food prices. The introduction of the food voucher was discussed and then voted on in Parliament in July 2021. The food voucher should range between 50 to 60 euros per month per household. A 4 to 6 billion euros of cost for the State. The food check should concern more than 8 million French people. [July 2022] The food voucher or rather the exceptional back-to-school of 100 euros plus 50 euros per additional dependent child will be paid as of October 1, 2022, to students with scholarships and recipients of minimum social benefits in an attempt to combat the rise in inflation, which is detrimental to the purchasing power of the most modest. This time, the exceptional back-to-school aid will be more targeted, 8 million households will be concerned, which represents nearly 14 million French people. The aid will be paid automatically, without any action required from the beneficiaries. A transfer will be made to their bank account. The measure is estimated at 1 billion euros for the State. 654, 655 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [May 2022] The Ministry of Labour stated that the executive wanted to index retirement pensions to inflation from July. If inflation at 4% is considered, for a pension of 1,200 euros, it is a gain of Social 45 euros per month. It should be noted, however, that this indexation will only be applied to Pensions Insurance retirement pensions from the general scheme. The contours of this measure remain unclear, particularly regarding the eligibility of retirees to benefit from a larger pension. 656 [July 2022] The new 20-billion bill approved in July also includes increased pensions. 657 Unemployment benefits [May 2022] The self-employed will benefit from a permanent reduction in their contributions, Social security contributions waiver which will generate a gain of 550 euros per year at the level of the minimum wage. 658 Training (vocational, life skills, others) 233 Labor market regulations [May 2022] To protect employment in France, the long-term partial activity scheme (APLD) will be extended. [August 2022] The APLD allowas a company facing difficulties to reduce the working hours of its employees. This temporary arrangement may apply until 31 December 2022. Wage subsidies The employer shall pay the employee compensation equivalent to 70% of his gross salary by nonworking time or 84% net ohurly wage. The employer receives an allowance equivalent to 60% of the employee's gross hourly earnings. 659 Labor On 15 March 2022, the French government announced that it will raise the salaries of civil Market servants to compensate for the sharp increase in inflation due to energy prices. 660, 661 This review could be completed before the summer.662 [July 2022] A 3.5% increase in the civil service salary indexation benchmark as of July 1. 663 [May 2022] Public officials will benefit from the increase in the value of the index point for their Wage increase remuneration, which will be agreed with the trade unions. [June 2022] The Ministry of Transformation and the Civil Service announced on June 28, 2022 the 3.5% increase in the index point for civil servants. This increase is effective from July 1, 2022 for all civil servants. [October 2022] On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, it was confirmed that the annual salary negotiations in the civil service will be opened in early 2023. 664, 665 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing On January 25, 2022, France announced plans for a further cut of 10% in its tax on transport costs for commuters. 666 Direct tax [October 2022] The Sustainable Mobility Package granted to employees is exempt from social security contributions up to 700€ per year and can be combined with reimbursement of public transport up to €800. 667, 668 On December 30, 2021, France announced the possibility of reducing the rate of excise duty levied on natural gas for individual consumers only. This possibility applies only for those Tax months in which the condition provided for would be met, i.e., if the natural gas supply costs for a given month of the year 2022 exceed those of October 2021. This provision completes the freezing of regulated natural gas sales tariffs at their October 2021 levels. This freeze has been in Indirect tax effect since November 1, 2021 and may continue to apply until a date between April 30, 2022, and December 31, 2022. The possible reduction of the excise tax levied on natural gas, which may not result in a rate lower than the European minimum set for private individuals (i.e. 1.08 €/MWh in gross calorific value), will be established by decree. 669, 670, 671 234 On December 30, 2021, France announced the possibility of reducing the rate of excise duty levied on natural gas for individual consumers only. This possibility applies only for those months in which the condition provided for would be met, i.e. if the natural gas supply costs for a given month of the year 2022 exceed those of October 2021. This provision completes the freezing of regulated natural gas sales tariffs at their October 2021 levels. This freeze has been in effect since November 1, 2021 and may continue to apply until a date between April 30, 2022 and December 31, 2022. The possible reduction of the excise tax levied on natural gas, which may not result in a rate lower than the European minimum set for private individuals (i.e. 1.08 €/MWh in gross calorific value), will be established by decree. Since January 1, 2022 and given the increase in the quantities of biomethane injected into the network, this normal tariff is now €8.41/MWh, as provided for in the order of September 8, 2021. 672, 673, 674, 675 On January 30, 2022, France announced that it would reduce the electricity tax (i.e, the Excise Tax on Final Electricity Consumption) from €22.50 per megawatt hour to €1 for households starting from February 2022 to January 2023. 676 On May 11, 2022, France announced that contribution to public broadcasting will be permanently abolished this year and the financing of public broadcasting will be ensured in compliance with the constitutional objective of pluralism and independence of the media. The abolition of this tax will return purchasing power to the tune of 138 euros per year (figure for metropolitan France) to nearly 23 million households liable. 677sss 235 Gabon Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On 4 April, 2022, the Gabonese state subsidized the price of foodstuffs such as flour. 678, 679, 680 Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, Assistance vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax On March 16, 2022, the Gabon abolished taxes and customs duties on imports of 23 basic Indirect tax goods. 681 236 Gambia, The Fuel subsidies As of September 3, 2022, Gambia said the government has expended D1.3 billion on fuel subsidies in 2022 alone and another D5.6 million will be spent for this month to keep the prices within the means of Gambians. The price stabilisation was stressed as the reason behind these subsidies. 682 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On June 15, 2022, Gambia reduced fertilizer price from D2,500 To D2000. 683 On July 22, 2022, the African Development Bank Group has approved a grant of $3.5 million from the African Development Fund’s Transition Support Facility as additional financing for a rice value chain transformation project in the Gambia. The Rice Value Chain Transformation Program was started in December 2018, with total grant financing of $7 Subsidies million from the African Development Fund, the Bank’s concessional lending window, and the Transition Support Facility. The project’s goal is to improve farm incomes, rural livelihoods, food and nutrition security in the country. Thus, it targets the production, processing, and marketing of rice in the Gambia, as well as reducing imports. The additional financing will focus on providing subsidized inputs as well as policy reforms destined to scale up food production. This includes providing climate-resilient inputs at subsidized rates to smallholder farmers and enhancing the existing farmers’ registration database for smart delivery of subsidies and targeted extension services.The additional financing project builds on the existing seed and fertilizer distribution systems in the Gambia, developed by the Bank, and will explore digital approaches to delivering smart subsidized inputs to farmers and vulnerable groups such as women and youth. 684 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works 237 Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 238 Georgia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies [October 2022] The government decided to encourage and support farmers and individuals involved in hazelnut production, by subsidizing equipment necessary to cultivate/grow hazelnuts. To this end, at the initial stage, the government will allocate 20 million GEL. 685 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, Assistance vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On June 2, 2022, The Georgian government decided to impose a one-year ban on exports of Export/import restriction locally produced wheat and barley from July 4, 2022. The ban is introduced to avoid a Trade shortage of these agricultural products inside the country. 686 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 239 Germany Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On March 24, 2022, the “9 for 90” scheme announced by the government will offer public transport tickets for €9 per month for 90 days (so €27 in total for three months) in a bid to encourage people to opt for public transport over driving. The initiative is projected to cost transport associations in Germany around €2,5 billion, a sum that will be entirely covered by the federal government. This money will be transferred to the federal states, who are responsible for public transport, and so will be the ones to implement the scheme. It would allow people to use their local bus, tram, U-Bahn and train network at a heavily discounted price – monthly travel tickets in Germany typically cost around €80 to €100. 687, 688, 689 [21 October 2022] The approved €200-billion energy relief plan includes a price cap on gas. Private households could benefit from a price cap of 80% of their usual consumption starting in March. The price cap is to be financed by the Economic Stabilization Fund (WSF), which was originally set up to cushion the economic and social impacts of the coronavirus Subsidies pandemic on the economy. 690, 691 [November 2022] The electricity price brake is to provide relief for customers from 1 January 2023. The price per kilowatt hour will be capped at 40 cents for consumers, as well as small and medium-sized companies. The reduced rate applies for 80 percent of last year’s consumption. In addition, network charges are to remain stable in 2023. 692 [November 2022] The 49-euro ticket per month is coming, ideally from 1 January 2023. For this purpose, the Federal Government will be providing loss compensation to the amount of 1.5 billion euros per year from 2023. The Länder Governments agreed to contribute the same amount. So far, the 49-euro price tag has only been confirmed as an “introductory offer”, which will initially last two years. At this point, the price would be adjusted in line with inflation. 693, 694 [November 2022] The Federal Government is going to pay another heating cost subsidy in order to provide relief for those hit particularly hard by higher heating costs. All those who receive housing benefit are eligible to receive this subsidy. 695 240 [November 2022]In Germany, Housing benefit is a rent subsidy that is designed to relieve people whose income is too low to cover the high ancillary costs. Owing to the housing benefit reform, the number of people entitled to housing benefit will increase considerably from 1 January: around 2 million households will be eligible to receive housing benefit in future. 696 [November 2022] An emergency aid measure will be realised this year, as the gas price brake will not become effective until next year and relief for citizens is required sooner: the Federal Government is going to cover the advance payments in December. 697 [24 March 2022] One-off energy tax-relief payment of €300 ($330). It will be paid to people through their wages and those on social benefits will also receive a top-up of €100. Families who receive child support benefits will also see a one-off payment of €100 per child. 698, 699 [22 August 2022] Workers in Germany will start to receive a €300 payment from next month. 700 The package approved on February 24 included €135/person for students and citizens who receive support for paying their rent. 701 The package approved on February 24 increased payments for poor children (+€20/month per child). 702 The package approved on February 24 gave welfare recipients (Hartz IV) €100 per person. 703 Social Unconditional cash transfers Assistance [February 2022] The first package included a one-time heating cost allowance. People who receive a housing allowance and trainees and students who receive funding under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) will receive a one-time heating cost allowance of 270 euros (€) (about US$284) and €230 (about US$242), respectively. The amendment will enter into force on June 1, 2022, and automatically expire on May 31, 2032. 704 [November 2022] The Inflation Compensation Act is going to raise the the maximum maintenance amount, child benefits and the child tax allowance. From January 1, 2023, the monthly payment of the child maintenance will increase to €404 (for children aged 0 to 5), to €464 (for children aged 6 to 11), to €543 (for children aged 12-17). 705, 706 [November 2022] As part of its relief plan, child benefits are increased. Families are set to receive €250 per month for their first and second child and €275 per month for their third child from January 2023. This marks an increase of €31 per month for the first and second 241 child, and an increase of €25 for the third child. Child benefit for any additional children will remain unchanged at €250 per month. 707 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [April 2022] Pensions in states that made up the former West Germany, where there was no increase last year, are to receive an increase of 5.35% from July 1 — the biggest hike for the region since 1983. In the former states of East Germany, where there was a slight rise of Social Pensions 0.72% pensions in 2021, pensions will rise by 6.12%. That represents the highest increase Insurance since 1994. [November 2022] According to an official estimate, statutory retirement pensions are to go up by around 3.5 percent in West Germany and 4.5 percent in East Germany next July 2023, for approximately 21 pensioners living in Germany. 708, 709 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Wage subsidies Market [February 2022] The first package raised the employee standard allowance by €200 (about US$210) to €1,200 (about US$1,260). 710 Wage increase [September 2022] The minimum wages are revised in Germany from 1 October 2022. The minimum wage has increased from €10.45 to €12.00 per hour. 711 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing 242 On February 24, 2022, Germany announced a package including an increase in the commuter allowance (+3ct to 38 ct/km). This allowance was previously 35 cents per kilometer from the 21st kilometer and an increase was originally planned for 2024 – this increase was bumped up by 2 years to help relieve taxpayers. 712, 713 On August 10, 2022, a 10-billion package was approved to raise base tax-free allowance as Direct tax well as bring up the level from which the top income tax rate of as 42% will apply. Families will also benefit from higher tax exemptions for dependent children. It is announced that 48 million germans would have faced higher taxes had the tax relief not been announced. The tax free allowance will rise to 10,632 euros next year and 10,932 in 2024 from 10,347 euros currently. Meanwhile, the top tax rate will kick in from an income of 61,972 euros next year and 63,515 euros in 2023 compared with 58,597 euros currently. 714 On March 24, 2022, Germany introduced a three-month reduction in the tax on fuel for vehicles by €0.30 per liter for gasoline and by €0.14 per liter for diesel. 715 Tax In 2022, the Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz (EEG), a levy on the price of electricity, fell from 6.5 to 3.723 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity. That is a reduction of around 43 percent. This was announced by the four transmission system operators Amprion, 50Hertz, TransnetBW and Tennet on October 15, 2021. At the start of February 2022, Germany called Indirect tax for a further reduction of the EEG surcharge, before 2023, which would relieve households by an average of €300. The government plans to cover the outstanding levies by using €3.3bn collected by the treasury via carbon taxes. At the end of April 2022, the Bundestag passed a law to eliminate the EEG surcharge altogether from July this year. 716, 717, 718 [August 18, 2022] Germany will temporarily cut sales tax (VAT) on natural gas to 7% from 19% to ease the burden on households and companies suffering due to surging energy costs and hit by a new levy taking effect in October, until March 2024. 719, 720 243 Ghana Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies [On April 21, 2022] The Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Inputs Subsidy Program promotes food security, employment, and poverty reduction through transformation of the agricultural sector. The implementation of PFJ is based on five main pillars: (i) seed access and development, (ii) fertilizer access and fertilizer systems development, (iii) extension services, (iv) marketing, and (v) e-Agriculture. The program is expected to enhance publicprivate partnership, raise productivity and farm incomes, and create Subsidies jobs along the different value chains. Specifically, PFJ aims to encourage the adoption of technologies (such as improved seeds and fertilizers) by providing incentives and appropriate training to farmers, and to improve access to markets through extensive use of information and communication technology. Owing to the perceived success of the PFJ, its implementation was extended beyond 2020. In 2021, the Ghana spent an amount of $70 million to fund the program but at a reduced input subsidy rate of less than 30%. And this year (2022), the government is spending $98 million on the program, an increase in funding of 40% over that of 2021. 721 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 244 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On April 11, 2022 Ghana banned the export of maize and soya beans as part of the measures to ensure food security and increase local poultry and livestock production from 1 April to 20 September 2022. The ban of maize and soybean exports affected Export/import restriction Trade eight countries: Niger, Sierra Leone, the Republic of Congo, the United Kingdom, Qatar, the United States, Italy and Canada. This is an extension of the already existing ban, which was put in place in September 2021. 722, 723, 724, 725, 726 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 245 Greece Fuel subsidies [September 2022] The 2023 budget includes the continuation, if circumstances allow, of the subsidy for heating oil by about 0.25 euro/liter into 2023, beyond its current expiration at the end of 2022. 727 Food subsidies [November 2022] Τhe so-called “household basket” with controlled and reduced prices for based goods will be introduced in Greece on November 2, 2022. The list of 51 items for the household basket will be updated every week and will be reportedly in force until the end of March 2023. 728 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On May 5th, the government announced a rebate of up to 60%, with a maximum of 600 euros, for high energy prices starting from December, 2021 until May, 2022. Only those making up to 45,000 euros a year are eligible for this rebate. It will come as a direct cash transfer to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. For May and June, households will receive a 50% rebate for any increase in consumption above 300kWh. [July 2022] On July 5th, Greece announced it will be extending the subsidies for the month of July, costing the government more than 700 million euros. These subsidies award 200 euro per megawatt hour to households to cover some 84% of the rising energy bills. [August 2022] On August 24th, Subsidies Greece extended its sweeping energy bill subsidies, with households and farmers receiving 639 euros per megawatt hour covering 94% of the rise in energy prices. The total cost for the month of September is estimated to be 1.9 billion euros. [September 2022] On September 21st, the government said it would pay out an additional 1.1 billion euros. For households with monthly consumption up to 500 kilowatt hours, the value is 436 euros per megawatt hour. This constitutes the majority of Greek households, and compensates consumers for about 90% of the rise in energy bills. For households consuming above 501 kilowatt hours per month, the subsidies will compensate for about 70-80% of the rise in prices. In addition to these benefits, a 50 euro per megawatt subsidy is further offered to consumers who cut their average daily consumption by 15% year on year. 729, 730 [August 2022] Anyone who replaces their old air conditioner with a new, energy-efficient unit will be reimbursed half of the purchase price by the state. Subsidies are also available for the purchase of new refrigerators and freezers. According to the government, around 200,000 households will receive such subsidies, saving €150 to €300 per family household per year. 731 246 [September 2022] The 2023 draft budget in Greece foresees a 50% in subsidies for student housing. 732 On May 5th, the government announced a rebate of up to 60%, with a maximum of 600 euros, for high energy prices starting from December 2021 until May 2022. Only those making up to 45,000 euros are eligible for this rebate. It will come as a direct cash transfer to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. For May and June, households will receive a 50% rebate for any increase in consumption above 300kWh. 733 Unconditional cash transfers In April 2022, as part of the 1.1 billion euros package, there will be a one-off cash transfer of 200 euros. This is set to begin distribution during Holy Week. This transfer is set to reach multiple categories of beneficiaries. These are: pensioners (676,735 beneficiaries and 135 million euros is budgeted), child benefit recipients (625,000 beneficiaries and 97.5 million euros are budgeted), uninsured seniors (34,964 beneficiaries and 7 million euros are budgeted), citizens with disabilities (166,982 beneficiaries and 33.4 million euros is budgeted), and double the amount for KEA recipients.734, 735,736 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social On March 17th, the government announced new measures to target rising prices totaling 1.1 Assistance billion euros. One of which was a fuel rebate program which was set to last for three months. The subsidy comes in the form of a cash transfer through the use of an e-card for use at gas stations. The amount ranges between 30 to 50 euros for residents depending on the type of vehicle and location of residence (residents of islands will receive more than mainland residents). Only those individuals who made up to 30,000 euros in 2020 are eligible for this benefit. This is estimated to be 3 million people or roughly 1.4 million households. This measure accounts for roughly 130 million euros. On April 26th, the website for the fuel Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, subsidy cash transfer program was launched and was made available. On 21 June 2022, the vouchers, others) government announced it extends the fuel subsidy to motorists for another three months. i.e. for July, August and September 2022. At the same time, it increased the amount for car owners to 80 euros in the mainland and 100 euros on the islands. For motorcycle owners the amount will be €60 and €70, respectively. The subsidy will benefit around 3.1 million motorists. The subsidy is for the whole quarter (3 months) and not on monthly basis. Total cost of the subsidy for “Fuel Pass 2” is estimated at 375 million euros, while the total subsidy for FUELPASS 1 and 2 is 580 million euros. [September 2022] Rougly 3 million (2,963,261) Greeks submitted an applicaton to the platform Fuel Pass 2 until September 1, 2022, in order to received the support amount to cover the cost of the fuel consumption for their vehicles for 247 the months of July, August and September. The total offered amount touches 199,384,275 euros. 737, 738, 739, 740, 741 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social [September 2022] The 2023 draft budget includes raising main pensions of 1.5 million Pensions Insurance pensioners by 6%. Estimated cost of the measure is at least 600 mln euros. 742 Unemployment benefits [September 2022] The 2023 budget prolongs the three percentage point reduction to insurance Social security contributions waiver contributions for private sector employees. 743 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Wage subsidies Market [April 2022] Greece has decided to increase the minimum wage to €713 before taxes from Wage increase €663. The measure will be put into effect on 1 May and will concern approximately 650,000 employees. 744 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing [September 2022] The 2023 draft budget includes abolishing a solidarity tax on all revenues as Direct tax of January 1, 2023. The estimated cost of the measure is 1.24 billion euros. 745 On March 17th, as part of the 1.1 billion euros package, there will also be a measure to support farmers and stockbreeders by reducing taxes on fertilizers and animal feed. [October Tax 2022] The Government has said it intends to permanently reduce VAT on fertilizers and Indirect tax animal feed from 13 percent to six percent.746, 747 [September 2022] The 2023 draft budget extends low VAT to transport, coffee, non-alcoholic beverages, gyms, dance schools, films and tourism packages to June 2023. The estimated cost of the measure is 246 mln euros. 748 248 Grenada Fuel subsidies [March 2022] There is a price cap of EC$15 on fuel in the form of a government subsidy in Grenada. 749 Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies [September 2022] the government announced has again taken the decision to continue to maintain the fixed price of the 20 lbs LPG gas (cooking gas) at EC$40 750 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax 249 Effective 24 December 2021 – Removal of Environmental Levy up to 500 kWh until December 31, 2022. $10 is applied to the bill where usage is more than 500 kWh. No charge is applicable for usage up to 500 kWh 751 As of 17 September 2022, the Government of Grenada removed all taxes on petrol. This means retailers and buyers will not be paying any taxes on petrol which is defined by law Indirect tax as gasoline and diesel, until the policy is reviewed in December 2022. 752 [September 29, 2022] The government announced that from 1 October will cap the freight back to 2019 levels for 6 months to ease the burden on the average citizen. The projection indicates that the Government will be losing significant revenue as a result of that, as much as EC$4 millions. 753 250 Guatemala Fuel subsidies On April 4, a new law was introduced to provide a fuel subsidy of 5 Quetzal per gallon of diesel fuel and 2.5 Quetzal for regular gasoline to consumers for a period of two months. 754 [Extension] On May 18th, the government approved an extension and expansion of the previous subsidy law for fuel. The subsidy will increase from 2.5Q for a gallon of regular gas to 5Q. There will be a new 5Q per gallon subsidy for superior gasoline. Diesel gasoline will receive 7Q per gallon subsidy, an increase from 5Q as outlined in the previous decree. These subsidies are also extended until August 4th. 755, 756, 757 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On April 1st, the government implemented a fee subsidy to lower the cost of electricity. The name of the program is the Fortalecimiento del Aporte Social de la Tarifa Eléctrica. In the first month (April) the benefit reached almost 10 million people. This measure is set to last until the end of the 2022. The budget allocated for this measure is upwards of Q931 million, with roughly half coming from the government and the other from the energy company. Q80 million was spent in the first month alone. 758, 759, 760 Since December of 2021, the government has subsidized liquid propane gas in cylinders so as to counteract the increase in global prices. Up until September 2022, the government has spent Q320 million. On September 8th, it was announced that this measure would be extended for an additional two months (it has been extended multiple times since December 2021). 761, 762, 763 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave 251 Health insurance On October 27th, the government announced a 10% vertical expansion for pensions under the Régimen de Clases Pasivas Civiles del Estado in response to growing inflation Social Pensions and the high cost of the basic goods basket. This measure entered into force on Insurance November 1st and is set to reach 104 thousand retirees. It is expected to cost an additional Q50 million a month. 764 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 252 Guinea Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On March 24, 2022, Guinea regulated the prices of certain necessities on the market: rice, flour, sugar, oil and onion. 765, 766 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On March 24, 2022, Guinea announced to stabilize the prices of water, electricity and domestic gas throughout the period of three months. 767, 768 On March 24, 2022, Guinea announced that there is a limit of up to three months' rent for the advance to be paid to landlords for residential rentals. 769 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 253 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax On March 24, 2022, Guinea announced that the customs duties will be reduced on certain Indirect tax essential products, including rice and consumer sugar. 770 254 Guinea-Bissau Fuel subsidies Food subsidies [April 2022] The Guinean government set new prices for rice, sugar and wheat flour. The measure determines that a 50-kilogram bag of rice will cost the public 17,500 CFA Subsidies francs (about 26 euros), a bag of sugar 25,000 CFA francs (about 38 euros) and a bag of wheat flour 23,000 CFA francs (around 30 euros). 771 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing 255 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 256 Guyana Fuel subsidies On October 1st, the government announced that it would cut the cost of gasoline by 20% and the cost of diesel by 15% from the Guyana Oil Company Limited which is the state sponsored fuel company. The hope is that then other fuel providers will have to follow suit in order to stay competitive. This will reduce the burden on motorists and Subsidies overall help to lower prices. 772, 773 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On May 16th, Guyana’s president announced a new one-off cash transfer of $25,000 to Unconditional cash transfers every household in the Riverine and Hinterland communities. This will cost a total of $800 million and therefore cover 32,000 households. 774, 775 Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, On May 16th, Guyana’s president announced that the government will be purchasing $1 vouchers, others) billion worth of fertilizer for free distribution to farmers. 776 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 257 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax On March 23, 2022, Guyana announced the removal of the excise tax on gasoline and Indirect tax diesel fuel to lower prices for consumers amidst the rise in global prices. 777 258 Haiti Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On May 5th, the government launched a new temporary emergency social assistance program seeking poverty alleviation and social inclusion. One of the components was an agriculture subsidy to 45,000 rural farmers to boost production. 778 Fees subsidies On May 5th, the government launched a new temporary emergency social assistance program seeking poverty alleviation and social inclusion. One of the components was a Unconditional cash transfers cash transfer of 3,000 gourdes per month to 50,000 families for a duration of 3 months. 779 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On May 5th, the government launched a new temporary emergency social assistance program seeking poverty alleviation and social inclusion. One of the components was a Social school education voucher to be distributed to 25,000 students. 780 Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) On May 5th, the government launched a new temporary emergency social assistance program seeking poverty alleviation and social inclusion. One of the components was an in-kind transfer of hot meals to underserved communities. The in-kind transfer was of 100,000 food kits a month. 781 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) On May 5th, the government launched a new temporary emergency social assistance program seeking poverty alleviation and social inclusion. One of the components was a Public works cash for work program aimed at providing 90,000 temporary jobs in urban areas for 3 months. 782 Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) 259 Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 260 Honduras Fuel subsidies On March 15th, the government implemented a fuel subsidy that will cover 50% of the increase in the price of diesel. 783, 784 On February 4th, 2022, the government implemented a price stabilization strategy for Subsidies liquid cooking gas set to last until December 31st, 2022. 785 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase 261 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 262 Hong Kong Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On March 30, 2022, Hong Kong households to get HK$1,000 electricity subsidy from June. Starting from June, a subsidy of HK$80 will be credited to each residential electricity account with the city’s two electricity companies in existence on the first day of each month for 11 consecutive months, and HK$120 in the 12th month, making up to a total of HK$1,000. 786, 787 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations On March 30, 2022, Hong Kong government to spend additional HK$12 billion on Labor revamped wage subsidy scheme. Eligible employers will receive subsidies in the fixed Market amount of HK$8,000 for each full-time employee it employs who earns less than Wage subsidies HK$30,000 per month. Employers will not be able to apply for subsidies in respect of employees earning more than that amount. [Update] On August 22, 2022, The Hong Kong government announced that it has completed the processing of all applications under the Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme. Among the 470,000 applications received, up 263 to 350,000 applicants have been granted the subsidies, which far exceeds the original estimate of 300,000 beneficiaries. Total subsidies granted amount to HK$3.5bn. 788, 789, 790 Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 264 Hungary Fuel subsidies Price caps on gasoline and diesel at a max of 1.30 euros were initially announced on November 11, 2021 for a duration of three months. On February 12, 2022, the same price cap was extended another three months. [Extension] On April 27th, the government announced the extension of the price cap of 480 forints (about 1.30 euros) per liter of gasoline until July 1. [Extension] The same price cap on fuel is now set to run until October, but narrowed the coverage by restricting the price-capped on petrol and diesel to privately-owned vehicles, farm vehicles and taxis, and exclude company-owned cars. [Extension] On September 17th, the government announced another extension for the price Subsidies caps for fuel. This one set to last until the end of the year, 3 months. 791, 792, 793, 794, 795 Food subsidies In February, 2022, the government announced a price cap on stable food products. These include sugar, wheat flour, chicken breast, pork legs, sunflower oil, etc. It was set to last until May 1st. [Extension] In June, the government announced that this measure would be extended further until October. [Extension] On September 17th, the government announced that the measure would be extended another 3 months, until the end of the year. 796, 797, 798 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 265 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On March 4, 2022, Hungary imposed restriction all grain (wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, Export/import restriction soybeans and sunflower seed) exports by imposing export licensing requirements effective Trade immediately due to price increases caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 799 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 266 Iceland Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies [May 2022] Housing benefits will go up by ten percent from June 1st, and the income threshold will go up by three percent. This will cost the treasury one billion krónur per year. 800, 801 [May 2022] People who receive income-linked child benefits will receive a special Unconditional cash transfers payment of 20,000 krónur at the end of June, if the bill passes Alþingi. This will cost the state 1.1 billion krónur. 802 Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Pensions Social Unemployment benefits Insurance [May 2022] The government has announced plans to dampen the impact of inflation on low earners in Iceland by increasing benefits. The announced package includes general Social security contributions waiver insurance fund benefits increasing by three percent from the start of June, at a cost of 14 billion krónur to the treasury. 803 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 267 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 268 India Fuel subsidies Food subsidies For 2022-23, India has allocated Rs 2.06 lakh crore (i.e., INR 2.06 trillion) for food subsidy. This is 97% of the budget for the Department of Food and Public Distribution, which is in charge of the India’s Public Distribution System.804 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On 16 March 2022, it is reported that the ongoing Ukraine conflict is likely to erode Subsidies India’s funds on agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and its subsidy bill is expected to increase by Rs 10,000-15,000 crore. The government, on March 14, sought the Parliament’s consent for net additional spending of over Rs 1.07 lakh crore (I.e., 1.07 trillion), including about Rs 15,000 crore towards fertilizer subsidy. 805 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase 269 On May 13, 2022, India has banned exports of wheat effective immediately. It highlighted a risk to food security, partly due to the war in Ukraine as well as due to a scorching heatwave curtailed output (as much as by 50% in some regions of the country) and as a result domestic prices hit a record high. 806 On May 24, 2022, India has imposed export restriction on sugar (raw, refined and white Export/import restriction sugar) by setting a cap of 10 million tons on sugar exports to ensure domestic availability. Trade The export restriction will be in place starting from June 1, 2022, until the end of October. 807 On July 7, 2022, India has tweaked export policy for wheat flour and asked traders to secure permission before exporting the commodity. On August 25, 2022, the government has increased the restriction by putting a ban on wheat flour, maida, semolina. 808, 809 Export/import easing Direct tax On November 4, 2021, India had cut excise duty to give relief from prices that had reached an all-time high level. The government had reduced the duty on petrol by ₹5 per liter and Tax on diesel by ₹10 a liter, leading to a substantial reduction in prices of fuel. 810 Indirect tax In December 2021, the Delhi government, in India, had reduced the value-added tax (VAT) on petrol from 30 per cent to 19.40 per cent. With this, petrol prices in the national capital were slashed by ₹ 8.56 per liter. 811 270 Indonesia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On January 2022 to 31 May 2022, the government allocated IDR 7.2 trillion to subsidize cooking oil. The subsidy scheme compensated producers for IDR 14,000 per liter and the difference from market price was covered using funds from the Palm Oil Support Fund Agency (BPDPKS). On 1 June 2022, the government switched the subsidy program for raw material price cap to increase supply by applying domestic market obligation (DMO). Subsidies The government expects to increase domestic bulk cooking oil supplies up to 12,000 tons a day, from 9,000 tons previously and aims to maintain the price at IDR 14.000. 812 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On May 19 2022, the government obtained the Parliament’s approval for additional spending of IDR 3.1 trillion for electricity subsidy (from national budget) and IDR 21.4 trillion for electricity compensation (outside national budget) from state utility firm PLN. 813 On 5 April 2022, in response to the increase of cooking oil, government committed to distribute unconditional cash transfers (BLT minyak goreng) of IDR 6.9 trillion for poor households and street vendors. Each beneficiary receives IDR 100,000/month in April- June. On 19 May 2022, the government obtained the Parliament’s approval for additional spending of over IDR 18.6 trillion for social protection programs, including Unconditional Cash Transfer for 20.65 million beneficiaries and Cash Assistance for Micro Enterprises. 814 On 3 September 2022, in response to the increase of energy prices (pertalite, solar, and pertamax), the government announced 3 programs. The Unconditional Cash Transfer (Bantuan Langsung Tunai/BLT) for 20.65 million of beneficiaries with total budget of Social Unconditional cash transfers IDR 12.4 trillion. 815, 816 Assistance On 3 September 2022, in response to the increase of energy prices (pertalite, solar, and pertamax), the government announced 3 programs. The government would also provide cash handouts to 16 million workers who make less than 3.5 million rupiah per month, with total budget of IDR9.6 trillion. 817, 818 On 3 September 2022, in response to the increase of energy prices (pertalite, solar, and pertamax), the government announced 3 programs. The Transportation transfer (Bantuan Angkutan Umum/BAU) for public transportation, ride-hailing drivers, and fisherman with total budget of IDR 2.17 trillion. 819 271 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction On 22 April 2022, Indonesia imposed a ban on the export of palm oil. However, on May Trade 19, 2022, it announced to lift the ban to ease the tight pressure on global food prices. On Export/import easing May 20, 2022, the government again re-imposed domestic sales requirement on palm oil. 820, 821, 822 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 272 Iran Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On May 9, 2022, Iran announced that it will provide cash compensations for raise in prices of bread. It will pay monthly around 4 million rials (about $15) to 30 percent of Unconditional cash transfers the population at the lowest-income groups, and around 3 million to 60 percent of the population. The 10 percent at the highest income level will receive no cash handouts. 823 Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On April 4, 2022, Iran in an attempt to cushion the price hikes, reduced VAT rates on certain goods and services. Instead at 13%, the following is now taxed at a reduced rate of 5%: edible oils and fats; baby food; certain live animals and fish, fresh and chilled Trade Export/import restriction meat, sausages, fish, crabs; poultry, eggs; fresh and chilled vegetables; fresh and dried fruit and nuts; seeds and seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides; and concert tickets. Similarly, instead of the standard rate of 25%, a reduced rate of 5% now applies to: butter and 273 margarine, and tickets for sporting and cultural events. Next, instead of the standard rate of 25%, a reduced rate of 13% now applies to: natural gas and heat energy; pellets, briquette, wood chips and firewood; and sanitary products. Exceptionally, a VAT rate of 5% applies on the supply of natural gas until 31 March next year. It remains to be seen to which extent these reduced VAT rates will bring down prices for end consumers. 824 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 274 Iraq Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On June 8, 2022, the Iraqi parliament endorsed the emergency food security law. The Unconditional cash transfers law aims to secure financial resources for food security, reduce poverty and insure financial sustainability.825 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Social Assistance On June 8, 2022, the Iraqi parliament endorsed the emergency food security law, the Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, law aims to secure financial resources for food security, reduce poverty and insure vouchers, others) financial sustainability. The cost is $3.4 billion, and it aims to cover 95% of the population. This measure covers 35,000 individuals. 826 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade On April 14, 2022, Iraq in response to the increasing prices of various commodities, Export/import easing Iraq suspends the import restriction (in the form of import licenses) on some goods, including food items, consumables, and medicines until June 8, 2022.827 On November 275 2, 2021, Iraq imposed restriction on the import of the following product and such products requires special approval before importing: agriculture seeds, live animals, chemicals and harmful materials, pharmaceutical products, products containing alcohol, pornography, and archaeological artifacts. 828 Direct tax On March 10, 2022, Iraq announced to suspend customs duties on basic commodities Tax such as foodstuffs, construction materials and essential consumables for a period of Indirect tax three months. 829 Initially, this measure was announced for 2 months but increased to 3 months. 830 276 Ireland Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On 7 March 2022, Ireland announced that electricity credit payment to households was doubled to €200 and will continue through to March and April. Funding for the scheme had also to increase accordingly, from €215 million to €400 million. 831 This €200 (including VAT) electricity credit will be automatically applied to domestic electricity customers’ accounts, and it will appear either as a credit on the bill or as a top-up on the prepay meter. If the first billable amount, after the credit is applied to the account, is lower than the value of the credit, the credit will remain on the account and pass onto the following bill(s). The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has advised that the credit is for use against electricity consumption and is not refundable.832, 833 Subsidies [27 September 2022] The 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. Every household will receive 600 euros off their next three energy bills, to be paid in 3 instalments of €200; the first payment will be made before Christmas, with two further instalments in the New Year. The total cost of this measure is some €1.2 billion. 834 [27 September 2022] In Ireland, the 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. There will be a €1,000 increase to the post graduate tuition fee contribution grant. 835 [27 September 2022] The 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. The Government is extending the 20% public transport fare reduction and the Youth Travel Card discount of 50% on all operators’ services to end 2023. 836 [27 September 2022] The 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. To provide further assistance with energy bills to Social Unconditional cash transfers the most vulnerable, in addition to the normal weekly fuel allowance payment, a lump sum Assistance payment of €400 will be made before Christmas to recipients of this support. 837 277 [27 September 2022] The 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. To support those in receipt of a weekly social welfare payment, the Government is providing for a once-off double week "Cost of Living Support" payment to all qualifying social protection recipients. This will be paid in October and will include pensioners, carers, people on disability payments and jobseekers. 838 [27 September 2022] The 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. The Government confirms to the House that the normal Christmas Bonus will be paid in early December. 839 [27 September 2022] The 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. To support low income working households, the Government is providing for an additional lump sum payment of €500 to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment. This will be payable in November. 840 [27 September 2022] The 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. In November, the Government will make a double Child Benefit payment to all qualifying households. This is worth €140 per child in addition to the normal monthly payment. 841 [27 September 2022] The 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. To acknowledge the additional costs that carers are incurring at this time, the Government will be making a payment of €500 to those who qualify for the Carer's Support Grant in November. 842 [27 September 2022] The 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. The Government will make a once-off payment before Christmas of €200 to recipients of the Living Alone Increase. 843 [27 September 2022] The 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. It is important that we acknowledge that persons living with a disability face additional costs. In this regard, a once-off payment of €500 to those who qualify for Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and the Blind Pension will be made in November. 844 [27 September 2022] In Ireland, the 2023 Budget envisions €2.2 billion in total value for the new cost of living measures for households. To support students and their families, the 278 Government is announcing a range of measures that will benefit young people including a one-off double monthly payment for those in receipt of the SUSI maintenance grant. 845 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On 27 April 2022, Ireland introduced two financial resolutions, of which the first one provides for a temporary reduction in VAT on gas and electricity. At present, gas and electricity have a 13.5% VAT rate applied. This will be reduced to a 9% VAT rate from 1 Tax May to 31 October 2022. [September 2023] The measure is extended until 28 February Indirect tax 2023. 846, 847 On 27 April 2022, Ireland introduced two financial resolutions, of which the second one provides for an extension and enhancement of the excise duty decreases on mineral oil taxes the Government provided for in March. The VAT-inclusive 20 cent reduction in the 279 mineral oil tax rate for petrol and the 15 cent reduction on auto diesel, with a proportionate 2 cent reduction for marked gas oil, MGO, also known as green diesel, were due to last until 31 August 2022. The cost of this measure was €320 million. The purpose of this financial resolution is to extend these temporary reductions until budget day, with effect from 1 May. The estimated cost of this change is €80 million. [September 2022] The measure is extended until next February 2023. 848, 849 280 Israel Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On July 25, 2022, Israel introduced price control on several type of bread items so that even the poorest families can afford them. The products include white and whole wheat bread as well the traditional challah bread. The prices of these regulated breads would be moderately increased by 5%. They explained that the government had reached an agreement with Israel's major bakeries to increase the prices significantly less than the bakeries wished (36%). In exchange, the government agreed to lift price control Subsidies measures by the end of April 2023. Another price hike is expected in December 2022. 850 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On February 9, 2022, Israel as part of its cost of living package of 4.4 billion Shekels ($1.37 billion) announce that middle-class working families are also expected to benefit from afternoon childcare subsidies, which will be extended to about 60,000 additional children in broader categories of socioeconomic standing, at an expected cost of NIS 150 million. 851 On February 9, 2022, Israel as part of its cost of living package of 4.4 billion Shekels ($1.37 billion) announced that it would also create a negative income tax, in the form of a grant, to the approximately 300,000 low-wage earners who bring home less than the Unconditional cash transfers threshold for income taxation. They will receive a one-time bump of 20% to their 2022 take-home pay. The average amount is NIS 800 per year per employee, and can reach up to NIS 1,700 per year for mothers of three children. This measure, expected to cost NIS 250 million, will also require enacting legislation. 852, 853 Social Assistance Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Social Health insurance Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits 281 Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing On February 9, 2022, Israel as part of its cost of living package of 4.4 billion Shekels ($1.37 billion) announced that the government will give an additional income tax credit point to each parent per child aged 6-12 in 2022. Each point is worth NIS 233 ($73) that Direct tax will be added to applicable families’ take-home pay each month. The potential value of the benefit in a family where both spouses work therefore reaches up to NIS 5,352 per year, per child. About 530,000 tax-paying parents are expected to benefit from the plan and it would cost NIS 2.1 billion. 854 On April 5, 2022, Israel cuts excise tax on fuel and as a result, prices of gasoline and diesel will fall by NIS 0.50 per liter with immediate effect. The cut comes after fuel prices have risen to an eight-year high due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 855 On July 31, 2022, government further cut the tax by the same amount, resulting to a total NIS 1 in tax relief per liter. This latest tax discount, however, is set to last only a month and prices are expected to go up again by half a shekel per liter by the end of August. The Tax initial half-shekel tax reduction that began in April is set to expire at the end of January 2023. This is expected to cost 800 million shekels ($250 million) over first three months. 856, 857, 858 Indirect tax On February 9, 2022, Israel as part of its cost of living package of 4.4 billion Shekels ($1.37 billion) announced suspension of excise taxes on coal for the rest of 2022 in order to reduce the expected price hike of electricity from 5.6% to 3.4%. Coal prices rose over recent months. The measure requires approval from the Electricity Authority and is expected to cost NIS 600 million. 859 On February 9, 2022, Israel as part of its cost of living package of 4.4 billion Shekels ($1.37 billion) announced the plan to remove customs duties on beef, fish, seafood, canned tuna, sausages, sauces, dried fruits, cakes and cookies, and flour. In addition to 282 the food items, tariffs on building and infrastructure materials, auto parts and household goods, among others, will be lifted. It is expected to cost of NIS 1.26 billion. 860 283 Italy Fuel subsidies Fuel bonus in Friuli: the discount on the full tank of petrol, in this region, from April 1 and for the entire month will be worth twice as much as in the rest of Italy. Those who live in zone 1, i.e., in the municipalities closest to the border, will benefit from a total discount of €0.595 cents per liter on green petrol and €0.505 on diesel, while those who live in zone 2, which includes the rest of the territory, will be able to reduce spending respectively by €0.525 and €0.465 cents per liter. Those who own a hybrid car can count on an additional discount of €0.05 cents. Measure was extended until June 30, 2022. 861, 862, 863 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies March 26, 2022, Energy bonus of €300 euros in Lazio, Itlay. This is a deduction on bills of €300 in favor of those with a taxable income for the purposes of the regional income tax surcharge ranging between €35 thousand and €40 thousand. The tax increase, on the other hand, will not be applied in the bill for citizens with taxable income up to 35 thousand euros, families with income up to 50 thousand euros with three or more dependent children, and those over seventy years of age and disabled or handicapped people belonging to families with taxable income not exceeding 50 thousand euros. 864 Subsidies On September 27, 2022, in Italy, for around 29 million domestic customers, the rates relating to general system charges, extra costs that are part of the energy bills, are set at zero for the last quarter of 2021. In December 2021, the government announced the policy will continue in 2022. [13 September 2022] Extension to Q3 2022. 865 Increase in the social bonus (the discount on bills for economically disadvantaged families or those with serious health conditions) to compensate for new price increases. In December 2021, the government announced the policy will continue in 2022. The Italian government also introduced the possibility for consumers to pay their energy bills in multiple instalments for the whole of 2022. €912 million will be used to increase the social bonus. [August 2022] The allowance provided for in Article 32, Paragraph 1 of the Aid Decree is extended in favor of recipients of pension benefits from any mandatory social security form, pension or social allowance, pension or allowance for civil invalids, the blind and the deaf and dumb, as well as pension accompaniment treatments effective by July 1, 2022 (instead of by June 30, 2022). [November 2022] Social bonus extended to Q4 of 2022. 866 [18 March 2022] Electricity social bonus in Italy: for the period April 1-December 31, 2022, the ISEE (indicator of equivalent economic situation) value for access to the social 284 bonus for electricity is € 12,000, or € 20,00 for families with four dependent children (this also includes the social bonus for gas). 867 [May 2, 2022] This has been extended until the end of September. 868 The ordinary bonus ranges between €128 to €178, and it is recognized automatically in the form of a credit in the bill.869 The estimated cost of the measure for 2022 amounts to 102,8 million euro and will cover more than 5 million households. 870, 871 [18 March 2022] Gas social bonus in Italy: for the period April 1-December 31, 2022, the ISEE (indicator of equivalent economic situation) value for access to the social bonus for gas is € 12,000, or € 20,00 for families with four dependent children (this also includes the social bonus for electricity). 872 [May 2, 2022] This has been extended until the end of September. 873 The ordinary bonus ranges between €30 to €245, and it is recognized automatically in the form of a credit in the bill. The estimated cost of the measure for 2022 amounts to 102,8 million euro and will cover more than 5 million households.874, 875, 876 On August 9, 2022, Italy announced the refinancing of the fund for "transport bonus": the Fund is dedicated to the support of families for the use of public transport services, established at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies, with provision for an allocation of 180 million euros for 2022. On September 16th, the government approved law decree Aiuti-ter, which includes new allocations for the 60 euros transportation bonus to purchase public transportation passes. Overall, the Fund created with the first Aiuti decree is increased by 10 million euros for 2022. 877, 878, 879 The flag-measure of the new package approved on May 2, 2022 is a €200 one-off bonus for 28 million workers and pensioners (with an income level lower than 35.000 euro). 880 [August 2022] A bonus of €200 is also provided to another 300 thousand workers. In addition to those who have not received it because they are covered by notional Inps contributions (about 40,000 people), retirees starting by July 1 (50,000 people) and sports collaborators severely affected by the pandemic and energy crises (195,179, of whom about 47,000 could receive the bonus directly from Inps because they Social fall under one of the other cases provided for in the emergency regulations).881 The rule Unconditional cash transfers Assistance adds doctoral students and research assignees with active contracts and enrolled in the Separate Management Fund (56,000). The measure is worth about 60 million. On September 16th, the government approved law decree Aiuti-ter. The new package has a value of € 14 billion (€ 6.2 billion from the extra income). The package foresees a one- time bonus of 150 euros for those with incomes below 20,000 euros gross annually, including pensioners, employed, self-employed and seasonal workers, and will address an audience of 22 million people. 882 285 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Fuel bonus for 2022: the amount of the value of petrol vouchers given free of charge by private companies to employees, up to a limit of €200 per worker, does not contribute to the formation of income. The bonus can be disbursed during 2022 and the first 12 days of 2023. 883, 884 Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) [21 July 2022] The government strengthens the Psychologist Bonus. Five million more for the voucher to spend on one's mental health, with the allocation for this year thus increasing from 10 million to 15 million. The total amount of the bonus varies according to the applicants' ISEE, which must be less than 50 thousand euros. 885, 886 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance The draft-bull "Aiuti-bis" approved in August 2022 adjusts for a 2% inflation increment pensions for pensioners with income lower or equal to 35 thousand euro. 887 Pensions [August 2022] Anticipation to November 1, 2022, of the adjustment for the calculation of pension equalization for the year 2021. he increase is recognized if the monthly pension Social payment is in total equal to or less than the amount of €2,692. 888, 889 Insurance Unemployment benefits Partial exemption of social security contributions payable by employees: for pay periods from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022, including the thirteenth or related accruals paid in the aforementioned pay periods, the exemption on the portion of social security contributions for disability, old age and survivors payable by employees excluding Social security contributions waiver domestic work relationships (referred to in Art. 1, paragraph 121, of Law No. 234 of December 30, 2021, Budget Law 2022), is increased by 1.2 percentage points. In view of the exceptional nature of the measure, the computation rate for pension benefits remains unchanged. 890 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor On 13 September the Aiuti-bis bill was approved by the Senate for an overall budget Market Labor market regulations allocation of €17 bn (€2 bn more than previously envisaged). It is extended, until December 31, smart working for frail workers and parents with children under 14 even 286 without a company agreement. The amendment voted sets funds for the measure at 18.66 million euros, covered 8 million through the Ministry of Labor's Social Fund for Employment and 10.66 million through a reduction in the Fund for Active Labor Policies. Employees on a smart working arrangement can work based on the achievement of objectives, meaning that they will not be requested to comply with a specific working time but rather are expected to achieve objectives set by their employer. The measure is aimed to protect the most fragile people, parents with young children and continue to guarantee a better work-life balance thanks to the agile mode. 891 Wage subsidies On 13 September the Aiuti-bis bill was approved by the Senate for an overall budget allocation of €17 bn (€2 bn more than previously envisaged). Senior figures in ministries and those in law enforcement agencies will be able to enjoy an exemption from the pay limits set for the Civil Service, by removing the 240,000 euro ceiling. These include the chief of police, the commanding general of the Carabinieri, the commanding general of the Guardia di Finanza, and the chief of staff of the Defense. 892 Wage increase On 13 September the Aiuti-bis bill was approved by the Senate for an overall budget allocation of €17 bn (€2 bn more than previously envisaged). The legislature raised the so- called "minimum subsistence amount" from 750 euros to 1,000 euros, so that all sums due as salary or pension are distrainable only for the portion exceeding this amount within the limits provided by current legislation (one-fifth). 893, 894 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing According to the draft-bill "Aiuti-bis" approved in August 2022, workers with an income below 35 thousand euros per year will benefit from a tax discount of 1.2 percentage points Direct tax on their wages until the end of 2022, for a cost of 1.2 billon to the State. 895 Reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel used as motor fuel of €0.25 per liter for a Tax period of 30 days from March 22, 2022 (total discount of €0.305 cents/liter if 22% VAT is added). For LPG, excise duties decrease instead by €0.085 cents, as provided for in the ministerial decree (total discount of €0.1037 cents if VAT is added). The decree approved Indirect tax on May 2, 2022, extends the reductions until July 8, 2022. As for natural gas, excise taxes are set to zero. [August 2022] The draft-bill "Aiuti-bis" allocates more than 6 billon will be used to cover the extension of previously adopted measures. [19 October 2022] Extension until November 18 of the cut of 30 cents per liter on motor fuels. 896, 897, 898, 899, 900 287 October-December 2021: VAT on the use of natural gas will drop to 5% on supplies for “civil and industrial uses”. In December 2021, the government announced the policy will continue in 2022. 901 288 Jamaica Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On March 17, 2022, Jamaica announced an electricity support subsidy to an estimated 460,000 customers of the Jamaica Public Service Company. The subsidy will be 20% for households consuming 200 kilowatt hours per month or less (roughly 81% of the customers). It will last from April to July of 2022. The initiative will cost in the region of $2 billion. 902, 903 On March 8, 2022 government announced that a total of $200 million has been set aside to provide one-off grant of $10,000 to cover food expenses each for the neediest Jamaican families being impacted by rising inflation. 904 On July 5th, the government has announced $2.7 billion of additional social intervention expenditure, including an allocation of $189 million through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for welfare and economic enablement activities. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security began distribution of cheques in each of Jamaica’s 63 Constituencies earlier today (August 3, 2022). 18,900 families will benefit under the programme. Each Member of Parliament was asked to identify 300 constituents who are Unconditional cash transfers facing economic hardship, and who are not beneficiaries under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). 905 Social On July 5th, the government has announced $2.7 billion of additional social intervention Assistance expenditure, including an allocation of $361 million in General Welfare Support for beneficiaries who are not on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) in the following amounts: (i) $189 million through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), (ii) $70 million through municipal corporations for welfare and economic support (iii) $52 million for poor relief through MLGRD and (iv) $50 million through the MLSS’s Public Assistance Department. 906 On August 23, 2022, the Government of Jamaica announced is providing $2.03 billion in Back to School Grants to beneficiary students under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) and the Poor Relief Programme. Over 150,000 Conditional cash transfers beneficiary students in primary and secondary schools are each set to receive $10,000.00 in added benefits, provided by the Special Economic Relief Programme (SERP), in addition to the annual PATH Back to School Grant of $3,500.00 per beneficiary student. In addition to the Back to School Grants, the Ministry has budgeted a further $40 million 289 for Post-Secondary Grants, and a further $424 million in Tertiary Bursaries. The Back to School Grants are being delivered to eligible families by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, along with the regular bi-monthly PATH payout, which began on by the end of August. 907 On July 5th, the government has announced $2.7 billion of additional social intervention Social pensions expenditure, including an allocation of $100 million for 10,000 social pensioners who are not PATH beneficiaries. 908 On March 22, 2022, Jamaica announced it will provide $25,000 in vouchers to operators of public passenger vehicles, including route taxi operators and contract carriage operators, Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, to cushion the rising cost of fuel. This programme will cost just under $600 million. The vouchers, others) voucher programme will begin towards the latter half of April and will be administered by the Transport Authority under the guidance of the Minister of Transport and Mining. 909 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance On April 5, the government announced the ramping up of the Social Pension Program to target vulnerable seniors who are affected by increased prices. The program initially began in July 2021, but up until April of 2022, there were only 7,800 beneficiaries. The new target is to reach 20,000 beneficiaries. This program provides a check every two months, Social worth JMD$ 6,800. It is only applicable to citizens 75 years or older who submit an Pensions Insurance application and are accepted. 910, 911 On July 5th, the government has announced $2.7 billion of additional social intervention expenditure, including an allocation of $450 million for 45,000 NIS pensioners who receive pensions less than $15,000 per month. 912 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Wage subsidies Market On February 1, 2022, Cabinet has approved a 28.5 per cent increase in the national minimum wage, effective April 1, 2022. To this end, the national minimum wage will be Wage increase increased from $7,000 to $9,000 per 40-hour work week or from $175 to $225 per hour. 913, 914 290 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 291 Japan Fuel subsidies On March 31, 2022, Japan’s industry ministry discussed its gasoline subsidy for oil distributors to the upper limit of 25.0 yen ($0.21) a liter for the week starting March 31, up from 18.6 yen a week earlier. Japan raised its gasoline subsidy for oil distributors to 37.3 yen ($0.29) per liter for the seven days from May 26, from 36.1 yen a week earlier. From June 30th, for seven days, Japan lowered its gasoline subsidy for oil distributors to 38.4 yen a liter versus 40.5 yen from a week earlier. The temporary subsidy program was adopted in January to ease the blow from high crude prices because of tight global supplies, exacerbated by the Ukraine conflict. 915, 916, 917 On April 25, 2022, Japan announced that nearly 1.2 trillion yen ($9.4 billion) will be used to extend the current oil subsidy program through the end of September 2022. Crude oil prices have risen sharply due to fears of disruptions in supplies from Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. Wheat and corn prices are also up significantly, prompting food prices to soar. Japan is considering extending to next spring its subsidy program for oil wholesales in order to avoid a sharp hike in fuel costs amid persistent supply concerns triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The government plans to set aside more than ¥1 trillion from the envisaged fiscal 2022 second supplementary budget that will finance an Subsidies economic stimulus package to be finalized in October.918, 919 Food subsidies On September 6, 20220. Japanese government announced that price of imported wheats sold by the government will be kept at the current level (Imported wheats accounts for 90% of domestic consumption). 920 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On Oct 28, 2022, The Japanese government approved an economic package at a special meeting of the Cabinet. The government has decided to spend about 39 trillion yen, or nearly 270 billion dollars. Electricity bills have been ballooning and the government wants to bring them down by about 20 percent. The government plans to lower household electricity bills by 7 yen per kilowatt-hour, meaning that an average household will save around 2,800 yen a month. Companies will receive support worth 3.5 yen per kilowatt- hour. The electricity subsidies could cost close to 1 trillion yen for the first three months, based on power sales in the first quarter of 2022. Part of 12.2 trillion yen ($83 billion) will be used to ease the burden of price increases. 921, 922, 923, 924 On Oct 28, 2022, The Japanese government approved an economic package at a special meeting of the Cabinet. The government has decided to spend about 39 trillion yen, or nearly 270 billion dollars. It is planning a subsidy for natural gas used by households and 292 businesses of about 20 cents per cubic meter. Part of 12.2 trillion yen ($83 billion) will be used to ease the burden of price increases. 925, 926 The relief package announced by Japan's parliament will 1.3 trillion yen for cash payouts to low-income households. 927 On September 6, 2022, The Japanese government announced that it is planning to distribute 50,000 yen ($351) each to low-income households as part of a relief package to mitigate the blow from accelerating inflation. Households that are exempt from resident taxes will be eligible to receive the money, as they are seen as more vulnerable than others Unconditional cash transfers to higher energy and food prices largely caused by Russia's war against Ukraine. 928 On Oct 28, 2022, the Japanese government approved an economic package at a special Social meeting of the Cabinet. The government has decided to spend about 39 trillion yen, or Assistance nearly 270 billion dollars. Families raising young children will get around 700 dollars in support. Part of 6.7 trillion yen ($45 billion) will be then spent on investments in measures to cope with Japan’s declining population. 929, 930 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase 293 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 294 Jordan Subsidies Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On 31 July 2022, a temporary program was recently launched to compensate poor households for increases in fuel prices. The budget for this six-month compensation program is JOD 30M, which includes about JOD16M to support NAF (cash transfer) beneficiaries (about 220,000 households), JOD4M to support underprivileged Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers university students (about 74,000 students), and JOD5 to support the operating cost of public transport lines. The benefit size is as follows: - 8 dinars for households consisting of up to 2 individuals - 11 dinars for households consisting of 3-4 individuals - 14 dinars for households consisting of 5 or more individuals. 931, 932, 933 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Social Insurance Paid sick leave Health insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 295 Wage subsidies Wage increase On March 8, 2022, Jordan's Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply decided to retain a previous decision preventing the export and re- export of some essential food items including rice, sugar, dried milk, Trade Export/import restriction dry legumes, fodder, wheat and by-products, flour, fodder maize, fodder concentrates, as well as ghee and vegetable oils of all kinds (corn oil, sunflower oil, palm oil and soybean oil. 934 Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 296 Kazakhstan Fuel subsidies On January 1, 2022, the government lifted a price cap on fuel, setting off a sudden and steep increase in the cost of liquefied petroleum gas. On January 6, 2022, the government restored vehicle fuel price caps for six months. Petrol and diesel prices will also be capped Subsidies for the same period. 935 In July 2022, this measure has been extended until Jan 2023. 936 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On April 1, 2022, Kazakhstan announced temporary quotas on exports of wheat and wheat flour. The quotas, which went into effect on April 15, 2022, will be in place until at least Trade Export/import restriction June 15, 2022, and will limit exports of wheat grain to 1 million tons and wheat flour to 300,000 tons. 937 On June 15, 2022, Kazakhstan extended the restriction until the end of 297 September 2022. The recently announced extension also added 550,000 metric tons (MT) of wheat to the original quota of 1.0 million metric tons (MMT), and 370,000 MT of wheat flour to the original quota of 300,000 MT. 938 On January 11, 2022, Kazakhstan imposed a quota restriction on the export of sunflower seeds in the amount of 125 thousand tons Until July 1, 2022. 939 On May 30, 2022, Kazakhstan has further announced an extension of the policy until 31 Sept 2022. At the same time, the total volume of products allowed for export has been increased from 125,000 tons to 140,000 tons. 940 On January 11, 2022, Kazakhstan imposed a quota restriction on the export of sunflower oil in the amount of 114 thousand tons Until July 1, 2022. On May 30, 2022, Kazakhstan has further announced an extension of the policy until 31 August 2022. There is no change in the quota amount. 941 Kazakhstan announced on May 13, 2022, that it will prohibit the export of white and cane sugar for six months, starting on May 23, 2022. 942 On January 11, 2022, Kazakhstan temporary banned the export of live cattle and small cattle. 943 The ban was suggested to be in place for 6 months. 944 On 22 February 2022, Kazakhstan lifted the ban on the export of potatoes and carrots, and replaced it by imposing quotas on marketable and seed potatoes in the amount of 144,500 Export/import easing tons and 57,500 tons, respectively. 945 The ban was in effect since January 22, 2022, 946 it was introduced in order to stabilize prices for socially important food products, especially in the spring. The duration of the restriction was 3 months until May 1, 2022. 947 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 298 Kenya Fuel subsidies On April 4, 2022, Kenya plans to pay subsidy arrears to fuel sellers. The Kenyan government used 118 billion Kenya shillings ($986 million) to subsidize fuel prices in the financial year beginning July 2021 through June 2022. On July 14, 2022 the government authorised the spending of some Sh16.67 billion ($141m) to retain current retail fuel prices for another 30 days. Without the cushion, petrol prices would have jumped to Sh209.70 per litre, while diesel would be Sh193.70 in Nairobi, but with the subsidies the prices are maintained at Sh159.20 and Sh193.70, respectively. However, the country intends to continue gradually realigning domestic to global fuel prices in FY2022/23 so as to eliminate the fuel subsidy by October 2022. This is the new recommendation/condition from IMF which focuses Kenya to gradually remove subsidy. As promised, in October 2022, the government started gradually withdrawing fuel subsidy. Kenya for the first time in a year fully withdrew a Sh20.5 a litre subsidy on petrol and halved the reliefs on kerosene and diesel to Sh26.25 and Sh20.82 respectively.This has reduced the burden of the subsidy from Sh14.5 billion to Sh5 billion as the new administration works on withdrawing State-backed discounts on petroleum products, as a result saving Sh9.5 billion. 948, 949, 950, 951, 952 Food subsidies On July 20, 2022, Kenya as part of 5th stimulus package announced that Maize flour will Subsidies retail across the entire territory of Kenya at the price of Ksh.100, down from Ksh.205 for a 2kg packet, until otherwise directed. 953 This subsidy program of Ksh.105 per 2kg pack of maize meal is meant to lower the cost of living for the vulnerable households. The duration of the program is 1 month (4-weeks) and is expected to cost Ksh.8 billion. 954 The subsidy on the Maize flour is planned to end on August 20, 2022. Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On April 1, 2022, Kenya has unveiled a KSh5.73 billion fertilizer subsidy fund to subsidies prices for 2.28 million 50-kg bags of fertilizer for farmers growing food crops. 955 This has reduced the cost of fertilizer from Ksh.6,000.00 to an average of Ksh.2,800.00. 956 On 20 September 2022, Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Co- operatives has announced new subsidized fertilizer prices after the government availed a Sh3.5billion fertilizer subsidy. This follows a directive by President for the ministry to avail 1.4million bags of fertilizer to farmers at a subsidized price of a maximum of Sh3,500 per 50Kg bag from the current price of Sh6,500 to combat the high-cost producers in the farming sector incur. The new fertilizer prices which are effective September 19 will be first availed to farmers in regions experiencing the short rains. 957 Fees subsidies 299 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction On July 20, 2022, as part of the fifth simulus package, Kenya suspended fees and levies Trade that included Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) & Kenya Bureau of Export/import easing Standards (KEBS) Testing Fee, Inspection Fee, Permit Fee on imported maize grain and raw materials for animal feeds for a period of four (4) months, with effect from 1st July, 2022 up-to 31st October, 2022. 958 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 300 Kosovo Fuel subsidies [8 March 2022] Subsidies for diesel fuel used in agriculture at 0.36 EUR/L based on estimated use of fuel per acre planted. Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies [8 March 2022] Subsidies for agricultural fertilizers of Euro 150/acre for wheat and Subsidies Euro 100/acre for corn, beans, and potato. Kosovo announced to Increase in the level of direct subsidies for agricultural products. Fees subsidies Kosovo announced doubling of payments to Social Assistance recipients for November-December 2021 and extended to January-March 2022. [September 2022] Kosovo announced doubling of SA benefits for one month. [September 2022] 50 Euro for public workers from September 2022 until the end of the year. One-time payment of 100 has been given in April 2022. 959, 960 Unconditional cash transfers [September 2022] One time payment of 100 Euro for workers in public companies in October. 961 Social [September 2022] One time payment of Euro 100 for students in November. 962 Assistance [September 2022] Starting the payment of child allowances for the first time. 963 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance [September 2022] Pensioners’ support in October 2022: one-off payment of 100 EUR. Pensions The one-off payment was also provided in November 2021 and April 2022. 964 Unemployment benefits 301 Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor [September 2022] Subsidize 50% of the wage increase per worker, maximum 100 Market Wage subsidies euros, for the first 3 months. One-time payment of 100 has been given in April 2022. 965 Wage increase Kosovo will temporarily ban the export of some food items amid the global food, energy, and fuel crisis, according to a government announcement. The decision has Export/import restriction Trade been taken to ensure that citizens have access to essential basket items including wheat, corn, flour, cooking oil, salt, and sugar. 966 Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 302 Kuwait Fuel subsidies Food subsidies As reported on May 25, 2022, Kuwait's Ministry of Commerce and Industries issued a decision to amend the distribution of frozen chicken through ration cards. From 1st of Subsidies June instead of 2 kgs it will be 3 kgs per person. 967 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On March 20, 2022, it was announced that Kuwait will ban export of grains and Trade Export/import restriction vegetable oil to other countries and this policy will be in place until the end of December 2022. 968, 969 303 On March 23, 2022, it was announced that Kuwait will ban the export of frozen chicken meat to other countries and this policy will be in place until the end of December 2022. 970, 971 Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 304 Kyrgyz Republic Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers On Aug 19, 2022, World Bank is assisting Kyrgyz Republic through Strengthening Social Assistance and Labor Market Programs Project. Subcomponent 1.1: Enhanced Support to Extremely Poor Families (US$17.5 million). This subcomponent aims to support the Kyrgyz Republic’s efforts to the poorest and the most vulnerable households in the country as they are the most exposed to the negative impact of higher prices of food, fuel, and other basic goods as well as lower remittances caused by the deterioration of the Russian economy. To mitigate the impact of the shock, a Presidential resolution approved on May 14, 2022, increased the size of the main social benefits in the country effective June 1, 2022, including the Uy-bulogo komok (UBK) Conditional cash transfers program. The monthly payment for families with children provided by the UBK was Social increased by 50 percent from KGS 810 to KGS 1,200 per child in eligible families, Assistance supporting about 360,000 children in 110,000 families. Therefore, this subcomponent will provide temporary emergency support to ensure that the Government can transfer the increased benefit to eligible households on time, including remote areas coefficients and corresponding bank transfer fees. It is estimated that the project’s emergency support will be provided for seven months between June and December 2022, after which it is expected that the Government will have adequate fiscal space to regularly transfer the increased benefit to the UBK beneficiaries.972 Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Social Health insurance Insurance Pensions 305 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On February 18, 2022, Kyrgyz Republic published Decree No.83 introducing temporary export restrictions on certain mineral fertilizers. The Decree highlighted that exports to the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are not subject to the ban. The ban is applicable until 26 August 2022. 973 On June 1, 2022, Kyrgyzstan has imposed ban on sugar exports for six months. 974 Export/import restriction Trade On March 23, 2022, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic imposed a temporary ban on the exports of certain types of goods for a duration of 6 months. The ban covers 11 types of essential commodities, including wheat and meslin, wheat flour, rice, macaroni products, vegetable oils, eggs, sugar and almost all types of feed for agricultural animals. 975 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax On March 23, 2022, Kyrgyz Republic exempted VAT on the import of sugar and Indirect tax vegetable oil. This policy will begin from April 1, 2022 until December 31, 2022. 976 306 Latvia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On September 27th, the government announced a new package of measures to help residents with high prices. This is an amendment to the Law on Measures to Reduce Extreme Rise in Energy Prices. One of the measures is a price cap for consumers of electricity to be set at 160 euros/MWh for the first 100 kWh of each month. The government will directly provide the subsidy to the electric companies for the difference in market price and the set 160 euros/MWh. This measure is set to last from October 1st, 2022 to April 30th, 2023 and is expected to need a budget of 67 million euros. 977 On September 27th, the government announced a new package of measures to help Subsidies residents with high prices. This is an amendment to the Law on Measures to Reduce Extreme Rise in Energy Prices. One of the measures is a natural gas compensation schemed that will keep the prices of natural gas fixed for consumers at 108.7 euros/MWh. If the market price is higher, the government will cover the difference. This measure is expected to last from October 1st, 2022 to April 30th, 2023 and is expected to need a budget of 10.89 million euros. 978 On September 27th, the government announced a new package of measures to help residents with high prices. This is an amendment to the Law on Measures to Reduce Extreme Rise in Energy Prices. One of the measures is an energy heating subsidy aimed at helping compensate households on their heating bills. For the first 150 Euros/MWh the government will cover 50% of the bill, for any portions of the bill exceeding this amount, the government will compensate 90%. This measure is set to last from October 1st to April 30th, 2023. Expected expenditure is 87 million euros. 979 In January 2022, to support families with children between 1 January and 30 April, considering the increase of energy prices, Latvian state will pay monthly EUR 50 benefit for each – EUR 200 in total (4 months x EUR 50). 980, 981 Social Unconditional cash transfers On August 9, 2022, Latvia announced a new cash transfer program aimed at vulnerable Assistance populations to help with rising prices during the upcoming winter months, starting November 1, 2022, and lasting until May 31, 2023. The target groups are seniors, pensioners, persons with disabilities, certain refugees, and survivors (those who’s spouses have passed away if that spouse was the main “breadwinner”). The cash 307 transfer can be 10, 20, or 30 euros a month depending upon the amount that the beneficiary already receives from the government (the more received already the less they qualify for in this program). 982, 983 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 308 Lebanon Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On March 14, 2022, Lebanon announced the initiation of payment of cash transfers to 147,000 extreme poor Lebanese households under the World Bank financed Emergency Social Safety Net Project (ESSN), also known as AMAN. It will provide a monthly transfer of US$20 per household member (maximum 6 members per household), in addition to a flat amount of US$25 per household. In March 2022, the per capita Food SMEB was estimated at US$27, (58 percent increase compared to January 2021), hence the need to increase the CT by US$20 which corresponds to 74 percent of the food need per person. Moreover, to maintain progressive incidence and achieve a higher impact on poverty, the proposed increase is meant to ensure that extreme poor households receive Unconditional cash transfers higher benefit amounts when compared to those who are less poor and targeted by the proposed Emergency Broad Coverage Cash Transfer Program (EBCCT). The monthly benefit is a flat rate of US$25 per household member, with a top-up of US$15 for each Social elderly member aged 65 years or more and capped at US$126 per household monthly. Assistance This is expected to cost USD 220 million, bank planning to allocate USD208 million. However, there is a funding gap of USD12 million. Beneficiaries are selected based on PMTs. The full caseload of 150,000 households is expected to be covered by the end of June 2022 and payments will be made to all eligible households on a retroactive basis from January 2022 and for one year. 984 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 309 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On March 11, Lebanon imposed export ban on food export of some locally produced Export/import restriction foods. It includes food items such as processed fruits and vegetables, milled grain Trade products, sugar, bread, and some types of alcohol. The ban also covers animal feed. 985 Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 310 Lesotho Fuel subsidies On June 15, 2022, Lesotho has subsidized the increasing fuel prices by M1.50 excluding paraffin with M1.10 starting from July to December 2022. The new fuel prices will be fixed for a period of six months and stand as follows: Petrol 93 will now cost M22.20; Petrol 95 at M22.65; Diesel at M23.05; Paraffin at M17.80. The government will put aside M30 Million per month to manage fuel prices. 986 Subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On September, 2022, it was reported that the Lesotho is providing subsidies on agricultural inputs. Fertilizers are planned to be subsidized by 80 percent, while seeds and other agrochemicals will be subsidized at 60 percent. This is likely to support favorable engagement in the agricultural season. 987 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 311 Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 312 Liberia Fuel subsidies The Government through the Ministry of Commerce and Industries and the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company, announced on April 1, 2022, that the price of gasoline has been reduced by USD 0.61 cents, while diesel fuel is reduced by USD 0.53 cents. 988, 989, 990 Subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Under the Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE) Project, the Government of Liberia is providing grant support to vulnerable households to revive or start small businesses, aiming to increase access to income earning opportunities for the vulnerable in the informal sector in response to the COVID-19 crisis in Liberia. This support runs from October 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024. 991 Under the REALISE Project (P174417), the Government of Liberia plans to support rural youth and vulnerable farmers in rural communities to engage in communal level farming as a means of increasing their income generation opportunity in response to the COVID-19 crisis. This support is targeted to commence by December 2022. 992 Unconditional cash transfers With Additional Financing (AF) from the Bank and donor partners under the REALISE Project (P174417), the Government of Liberia plans to provide cash transfers to extreme Social poor and vulnerable households (to include refugees and host communities) in targeted Assistance communities in Liberia to cope with the impacts of COVID-19 and recent food and fuel price increases. This support is targeted to commence by December 2022. 993 Between February 2022 and June 2023, the Government is implementing the Social Cash Transfer Program in Bomi and Maryland Counties, under the Liberia Social Safety Nets Project, for a cost of $9.20 million. The Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program has provided income support, via mobile money, to almost 25,000 rural and urban households – surpassing its end target – via mobile money. 994 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) 313 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Under the Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISER) Project (P174417), the Government of Liberia is providing temporary employment support and employability development for vulnerable workers in urban areas Public works with the aim of increasing access to income earning opportunities for the vulnerable in the informal sector in response to the COVID-19 crisis in Liberia. This support runs from October 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024. 995 Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 314 Libya Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On 22 March 2022, Libya imposed a ban on the export of all types of fish effective Export/import restriction immediately. It also announced the plan to create a three-month strategic stock of basic Trade foods. 996 Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 315 Lithuania Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies [January 2022] Currently 95,000 Lithuanians can apply for subsidies to cover part of their heating costs, with 14 million euros in budget funds allocated for the purpose annually. 997 Meanwhile, Lithuanian parliament passed new legislation enabling more Subsidies people to apply for heating subsidies, to cover around 110,000 people. [April 2022] The Government compensates a share of gas and electricity prices paid by people by allocating €570 million. 998 [April 2022] The increase in heating and gas prices will be spread to consumers over 5 years. The government planned to set a ceiling on electricity prices for consumers. [September 2022] Lithuania will cap electricity and gas prices. 999, 1000 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [April 2022] In order to increase personal income, the Government has planned to increase old-age pensions by 5 %, thus allocating EUR 106.3 million. This decision will Social Pensions mean an average additional increase in pensions of EUR 24 per month for elderly Insurance people with the necessary seniority. [October 2022] The average old-age pension will increase by €65 euro to €575 in the coming year. 1001, 1002 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) 316 Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies Wage increase [October 2022] The minimum monthly wage will be €840. 1003 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing [April 1] The non-taxable amount (NTA) is also increased by EUR 80, which, subject to the approval of the Seimas, would make up EUR 540 and for people earning Direct tax minimum monthly wages (MMW), it would mean an additional increase of EUR 16 in income. This decision will increase the NTA by 35 % since the last year. The plan foresees EUR 103 million for this measure. 1004 [August 2022] The Lithuanian Parliament has returned to a February proposal to reduce the VAT rate on domestic heating from 21% to 5%. This would be imposed on natural Tax gas and liquefied petroleum gas. This could come into place from 1 November 2022. 1005 [October 2022] The Lithuanian government has confirmed that it will extend the VAT Indirect tax rate cut to 9% on hospitality, sporting, and cultural services to 31 December 2023. The VAT rate on these services was reduced from 21% to help the Lithuanian hospitality sector recover from the impact of COVID-19 back in 2021. 1006 [November 2022] Parliament passes bill to cut the VAT rate on non-prescription drugs and medical aids to 5%. 317 Macao SAR, China Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On August 8, 2022. Macau government announced that local taxi drivers who meet certain requirements will receive a one-off fuel and energy subsidy reaching up to MOP12,000 Unconditional cash transfers (US$1,484) starting from September, as part of a string of policies to mitigate the pandemic impact on the local economy. The handout is sentenced to benefit 4,000 taxi drivers and amounts to a total of MOP51 million in subsidies. 1007 Social Conditional cash transfers Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, On March 11, 2022, A medical voucher worth 600 patacas will be available to Macau's vouchers, others) permanent residents from May, to be used over the next two years. 1008 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor On May 23, 2022, The Executive Council recently finished discussing the draft of a new Market Wage subsidies executive regulation allowing small and medium enterprises in Macau to receive MOP19,968 in subsidy for each local hire meeting certain conditions. 1009 Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax 318 Indirect tax 319 Madagascar Fuel subsidies The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Consumption announced on April 5, 2022, that the Malagasy State has just set ceiling prices for the sale of several necessities and everyday consumables, including gas. The price-fixing decree should be taken on April 6 in the Council of Ministers, for a period of three months, renewable. 1010, 1011, 1012 Food subsidies The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Consumption announced on April 5, 2022, that the Subsidies Malagasy State has just set ceiling prices for the sale of several necessities and everyday consumables, including sugar, flour, rice, oil or cement. The price-fixing decree should be taken on April 6 in the Council of Ministers, for a period of three months, renewable. 1013, 1014, 1015 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies [July 2022] The Government is planning to trigger a CERC to finance a proposed $100 million in unconditional cash transfers to mitigate the impact of fuel price increases on Unconditional cash transfers poor and vulnerable households. This follows the government's decision on July 11, 2022, to raise the fuel price at the pump by 34 percent on average. 1016 Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies 320 Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 321 Malawi Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Malawi is providing additional financial support for the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project. It includes covering 147,000 beneficiaries under the SCTP for the full duration of the project by December 31, 2025 ($35 million equivalent). 1017 Malawi is providing additional financial support for Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project. It includes adding shock-responsive cash transfers to 300,000 drought-affected poor households. This scale up will expand the coverage from three to six Unconditional cash transfers drought-prone districts for the next two agricultural seasons. 1018 Subject to World Bank Board approval of CRW-ERF application, Malawi is planning to provide additional financial support for Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project for shock responsive safety nets. It includes a vertical expansion or cash top-ups for Social existing 300,000 social cash transfer poor beneficiary households. This scale-up is also Assistance conceptualized to expand coverage of emergency cash transfers to non SSN beneficiaries in both rural and urban areas. 1019 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Malawi is providing additional financial support for Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project. It includes scaling up the cash for work component or Climate Smart Public works enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP) with additional 400,000 beneficiary households, with six months of work per year (US$108 million equivalent). 1020 Paid sick leave Social Health insurance Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits 322 Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax On April 5, 2022, Malawi removed the 16.5 per cent VAT on cooking oil in a bid to force Indirect tax cooking oil manufacturers lower the prices. 1021 323 Malaysia Fuel subsidies On May 10, 2022, The Malaysian government will pay RM28 billion in fuel subsidies this year if the price of crude oil continues to remain above US$100 per barrel. While the government stands to gain a larger sum in oil revenue, the fuel subsidies bill this year could be five times higher than the RM5.3 billion allocated under Budget 2022. 1022, 1023 On July 28, 2022. Amidst rising fuel prices, the government has been planning on introducing a targeted fuel subsidy and one of the potential methods seems to be through e-wallets. The government has launched a pilot test using e-wallets at petrol stations for the targeted system. 1024 Food subsidies Malaysia has extended the period of price control of the Keluarga Malaysia Maximum Price Control Scheme. The Scheme took effect on Dec 7, 2021, throughout the country as part of the government’s efforts to stabilize the price of necessities and ensure adequate Subsidies supply in the market. The items listed under the scheme included live chicken, standard chicken, super chicken, Grade A, B and C eggs, long beans, red chili, tomato, choy sum, imported round cabbage (from Indonesia and China) as well as cucumber. Part of the scheme is the government has imposed a ceiling price of RM8.90 per kg for chickens since Feb 5. 1025 s On October 7, 2022, Malaysia has announced the budget for new fiscal year. Following measure was passed in the new budget: The agriculture and food industries ministry was allocated RM1.8 billion specifically for subsidies and incentives for the rice and fishing industry. 1026 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On May 24, 2022, Malaysia has offered a subsidy (in the form of direct payment) of RM729.43 million (US$166.27 million) to chicken breeders through the Keluarga Malaysia Maximum Price Control Scheme implemented on February 5, which aimed to alleviate the burden on producers. Breeders will get 60 sen per kilogram (kg). The Social Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (MAFI) said it would expedite and simplify the Unconditional cash transfers Assistance procedures for direct subsidy payments to poultry breeders, as part of the efforts to resolve chicken supply shortage in Malaysia. The government will end providing subsidies to chicken breeders from July 1. Update: Subsidies for chicken breeders and chicken egg producers have been extended from October until December this year, at a rate of RM0.80 per kg for chickens and RM0.08 per egg. The agriculture and food industries minister said 324 this decision was made at the Cabinet meeting to ease the burden of poultry breeders. 1027, 1028, 1029 On October 7, 2022, Malaysia has announced the budget for the new fiscal year. The following measure was passed in the new budget. Under Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM), households earning less than RM2,500 per month, with at least five children, will receive RM2,500. Meanwhile, households with up to four children are eligible to receive BKM of between RM1,000 and RM2,000. 1030 On October 7, 2022, Malaysia has announced the budget for new fiscal year. The following measure was passed in the new budget: single senior citizens will continue to receive BKM of RM600. 1031 On October 7, 2022, Malaysia has announced the budget for new fiscal year. The following measure was passed in the new budget: singles will continue to receive BKM of RM350. On October 7, 2022, Malaysia has announced the budget for new fiscal year. The following measure was passed in the new budget. In 2023, the government will continue to provide additional assistance of RM500 to single parents with children. This means that single parents are eligible to receive a maximum assistance of RM3,000, versus RM2,500 this year. 1032 On October 7, 2022, Malaysia has announced the budget for new fiscal year. Following measure was passed in the new budget. A RM100 one-off payment to the e-wallet of those who earn below RM100,000 per year will be provided. 1033 On October 7, 2022, Malaysia has announced the budget for new fiscal year. Following measure was passed in the new budget: To reduce travel costs, the government will continue the My50 monthly pass initiative. 1034 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) 325 Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations On April 5, 2022, Malaysia announced that it has disbursed 20.92 billion RM (4.72 billion Labor USD) of wage subsidies through its Wage Subsidy Program (PSU) to 357,895 employers. Market Wage subsidies To preserve 2.96 million local jobs, the government has disbursed RM20.63 billion (US$4.9 billion) in wages subsidies. 1035 Wage increase Malaysia bans poultry export: In the latest food protection move will halt exports of 3.6 Export/import restriction million chickens a month from June 1 and investigate allegations of cartel pricing. Trade Malaysia's ban on chicken exports is expected to end on Aug 31, 2022. 1036 Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 326 Mali Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On 14 April 2022, Mali plans measures to strengthen livelihoods with the purchase of 4,990 tons of livestock, poultry and fish feed which will be distributed to 2,997,103 people to strengthen their livelihoods through the African Risk Capacity (ARC) project in 2022. 1037 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On 14 April 2022, Mali's High Council of Agriculture earmarked 54.9 billion FCFA for Subsidies subsidizing cotton production inputs. 4,990 tons of livestock, poultry and fish feed which will be distributed to 2,997,103 people. 1038 On 14 April, 2022, Mali announced that the producer's share in the price of a 50 kg bag of mineral fertilizer will be set at 12,500 CFA francs, and 25,000 CFA francs for the 50 kg bag of organic fertilizer. 1039 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Social pensions Assistance Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies 327 Wage increase On 6 December 2021, the Government of Mali announced a ban on exports of cereals, Export/import restriction Trade including rice, maize, millet and sorghum, until further notice. 1040 Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 328 Malta Fuel subsidies On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that it due to government's energy policy, families on average save EUR 700 in fuel cost. 1041 Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that it due to government's energy policy, families on average save EUR 1,300 in electricity. 1042 In view of increasing inflationary pressures, particularly in food items, in February 2022, the Government announced the disbursement of a one-time cash grant to alleviate the effects of inflation. Workers and students received a cash grant worth €100, while pensioners and individuals on social benefits received €200. This measure also constitutes a fiscal stimulus to the economy to further support the economic recovery, following the increase in the number of positive cases from the Omicron variant during December 2021-January 2022. 1043 On Oct 24, 2022, it was announced as part of the Budget 2023 that parents who stop working in order to take care of an adult child with severe disabilities will receive up to €4,500 and will be paid every three months in 2023. In 2021, the government had first introduced financial assistance to parents who stop working in order to take care of an adult child with severe disabilities and provided €300. This was further increased to Social €500 in 2022. 1044 Unconditional cash transfers Assistance On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that it would raise the capping of the maximum benefit of the rent benefit schemerent offered to families living in one-bedroom apartment from €400 to €500 per month, for two-bedroom apartment from €500 to €600 per month, and for three-bedroom apartment from €600 to €700 per month. 1045 On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that 80,000 vulnerable people will receive an additional cost-of-living adjustment, amounting to around €300 per year. The measure will apply to those receiving social benefits and those earnings less than the median income, which in 2022 amounted to €17,796. This payment will be sent before Christmas. The whole measure will cost roughly €11 million. 1046 329 On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that Children's allowance will increase by €90 per child per year. This measure will affect more than 41,100 families with 62,000 children and will cost €5.6 million. 1047 On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that students will get a €50 annual stipend increase. 1048 Conditional cash transfers On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that people with Social pensions disability will no longer be required to be means tested for social subsidies grant. 1049 Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that the Elderly who have reached the retirement age but who do not qualify for the pension as they do not have sufficient social security contributions will receive a €50 increase in their bonus every year, resulting in an annual amount of €450 for people who have less than five years of paid contributions and up to €550 for those who have less than 10 years of contributions paid up. Around 15,000 people, mostly married women, will benefit from Social Pensions this increase with a total expenditure of almost €800,000. 1050 Insurance On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that in addition to the increase in COLA (€9.90 per week), pensioners will be given another increase of €2.60 per week, for a total increase of €12.50 per week, equivalent to an annual increase in pensions of €650. It is expected to cost the government €65 million to cover roughly 100,000 pensioners. 1051 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Labor market regulations Market Wage subsidies 330 Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that parents who send children for sports, art or cultural activities will benefit from a tax deduction of €300 (increased from the current €100). 1052 On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that tax credit of €200 per annum for each disabled child. 1053 Tax Direct tax On Oct 24, 2022, as part of the Budget for 2023, Malta announced that the applicable pension income tax exemption threshold is being raised to €14,968 in order to ensure that pension income remains exempt from tax. In addition, couples that are in receipt of a pension and opt for a joint tax computation, will continue to enjoy the tax exemption threshold applicable to non-pension income up to €3,600 per year over and above the pension income. 1054 Indirect tax 331 Mauritania Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On June 29, 2022, it was announced that Word Bank through its restructuring is supporting Mauritania in scaling up the government's lean season shock response in Unconditional cash transfers Social Safety Net System Project II. The restructing entails using $11.5m to reach additional 38,000 households (i.e., 250,800 individuals) through the Elmaouna program, resulting in a total of 47,000 households. 1055 Social Conditional cash transfers Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax 332 Indirect tax 333 Mauritius Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On April 29, 2022, Mauritius has taken the decision to inject an additional amount of Rs 150 million to vertically increase the subsidy to retain the prices of seven (7) essential commodities in the face of upward volatilities in the import cost and the need to further restore the purchasing power of consumers and will in effect from April 30, 2022. 1056 This is basically a price control measure. These products are canned sardines, cheese, edible oil, margarine, canned tomatoes, powdered milk and dried grains. This program has ended on 30 June 2022. 1057, 1058 This measure was initially announced on 10 July 2021 and came into effect from July 12, 2021. 1059 Subsidies On June 30, 2022, Mauritius decided to impose a maximum profit margin (maximum mark-up) on importers starting from July 1, 2022. It is known as Consumer Protection (Consumer Goods) (Maximum Mark-Up) (Amendment) Regulations 2022. This is applicable for twelve categories of products including milk powder, edible oil, canned fish, canned tomatoes, processed cheese, margarine, pulses, infant food/infant food preparation, pasta, wheat cereals, adult diapers and baby diapers. Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On 15 April 2022, under the Tea Sector Support Scheme, Mauritius has increased the Social funding voted for financial year 2021-22 from Rs 5 million to some Rs 12 million for the Assistance provision of fertilizers to be distributed to 1,038 registered small tea planters. The Scheme Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, is being operated through a voucher system whereby the registered tea planter will be vouchers, others) provided with a voucher indicating the quantity of fertilizers (s)he is eligible for and which (s)he will have to present to the supplier, as selected by the Small Farmers Welfare Fund, to take possession of the corresponding fertilizers. 1060 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works 334 Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Pensions Insurance Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax Indirect tax 335 Mexico Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On October 3rd, Mexico announced a new package aimed at reducing the burden of inflation for consumers. This package is called Acuerdo Trade Export/import restriction de Apertura contra la Inflación y la Carestía (Apecic). Within this package the government has announced that there will be a cancelation of exports for certain products. These products are white 336 corn, beans, sardines, and aluminum and steel scrap metal. This measure is set to last until the end of February 2023. 1061, 1062 Export/import easing Direct tax On March 6, 2022, an announcement was made to further reaffirm efforts by Mexico to make sure it is meeting its promise of not allowing the price of gasoline and diesel to rise above the rate of inflation. Mexico already had measures in place of highly discounted taxes on gasoline and diesel (IEPS) to try to reduce the price dating back several years, recently it has further discounted the IEPS tax rate and it has enacted a subsidy to help gas station companies cover up to 100% of the remaining tax and any other additional rise in price so as to maintain level prices. Mexico looks to offset the cost of the subsidy with increased sales in exports of its oil and gas from the state-owned enterprise, Pemex. 1063,1064,1065,1066,1067 [Update] On August 5th, the government announced it would cut the subsidy on premium gasoline only and maintain the same subsidy for all other fuel. This reduction in the subsidy is of 7.7%. 1068, 1069 Tax On May 4, 2022, Mexico announced the elimination of import duties Indirect tax on 72 categories related to food products. This will reduce the price for consumers for many basic food products. 1070 On May 4, 2022, Mexico announced the reduction in the import duty of fertilizer and eliminating the quota on the import of ammonium sulfate, which is an important product in fertilizer. 1071 On October 3rd, Mexico announced a new package aimed at reducing the burden of inflation for consumers. This package is called Acuerdo de Apertura contra la Inflación y la Carestía (Apecic). Within this package the government is looking to reduce the average maximum price for a basic basket of goods (24 food products) by 8%. The reduction in prices is planning to be achieved through a reduction in the import tax (the General Import Tax) of these products and the issuing of a single and universal import license so as to cut the costs of navigating regulatory permits for importation and distribution, including the need for sanitary checks. This measure is set to last until the 28th of February, 2023. 1072, 1073, 1074, 1075 337 338 Moldova Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On July 6, 2022, Moldova announced a compensation program for high energy bills (electricity and heating) for the upcoming winter months aimed at the most vulnerable population. The amount will depend on the household’s income and energy consumption data. It will be aimed at the elderly, families with many children, and people with disabilities. It will also go to those in rural areas in the form of support for cutting wood for wood-fires. It is estimated that 99% of the Subsidies population will receive some form of compensation with 60% of the population eligible for the maximum compensation. Only 1% are not eligible for any compensation as they have been categorized as not energy vulnerable. 1076 On October 12th, the government announced the launching of the Energy Vulnerability Information System, an online platform where residents can apply for compensation for energy bills. This goes with the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund meant to subsidize energy bills (heating and electricity) for an estimated 90% of households in Moldova. The total budget is of 10 million euros. 1077, 1078 [23 March 2022] To support those at most risk of the energy crisis, a direct cash transfer of 1,000 lei is provided to each individual household selected by the NGO “People in Need Moldova” and distributed in collaboration with the government and Moldovan Post. Unconditional cash transfers The funds come from the EU and will go to 40,000 households. They will be eligible to pick up cash at any post office with a valid ID by Social Assistance March 31 of this year. So far, 32,500 households have already been covered. 1079 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) 339 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On 28 February 2022, Moldova imposed a ban on export of wheat, corn and sugar starting from March 1 due to the lack of stocks. On Export/import restriction June 27, 2022, Moldova lifted the ban on the export of wheat and Trade wheat flour from the country. At the same time, the ban on sugar exports remained in force. 1080 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 340 Montenegro Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax 341 On May 5, 2022, Montenegro announced 50% less excise duties for fuels (while also introducing/increasing excise duties for plastic and different tobacco and alcohol types). 1081,1082 Indirect tax May 5, 2022, Montenegro also announced that VAT for essential food products (flour, oil, milk, eggs, sugar) is reduced from 7% to 0% and VAT on salt is reduced from 21% to 7%. 1083,1084,1085,1086 342 Morocco Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On June 9, 2022, Morocco ordered a 1.75-billion-U.S dollar subsidy increase on food items such as wheat and sugar, along with cooking gas. This is in addition to the 1.8 billion dollars already earmarked in the annual budget. The decree was adopted in an effort to stabilize domestic prices for these products. 1087 Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On June 9, 2022, Morocco ordered a 1.75-billion-U.S dollar subsidy increase on cooking gas, besides food items. This is in addition to 1.8 billion dollars already earmarked in the annual budget. The decree was adopted in an effort to stabilize domestic prices for these products. 1088 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 343 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction On March 15, 2022, it was reported that Morocco plans to impose export restriction on its Europe-bound round tomatoes to ease a pre- Trade Ramadan surge in local prices for a key component of the nation’s Export/import easing cuisine and fast-breaking meals. Each year, Morocco’s sends some 430,000 tons of tomatoes to Europe, making it the region's largest outside supplier. The export curbs would halve the local price for tomatoes to less than 5 dirhams (US$0.51) per kilo. 1089 Direct tax On June 2, 2022, Morocco exempted customs duties on sunflower, Tax soybean, and rapeseed. This measure will take effect starting June 3, Indirect tax 2022 and continue until further notice. This decision is intended to protect citizens’ purchasing power in the face of rising global prices of various essential goods. 1090 344 Mozambique Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On July 1, 2022, the Mozambican government announced that it will grant a subsidy to passengers on urban public transport in the country for a period of six months, with a view to mitigating the impact of the global increase in fuel prices. 1091 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase 345 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On August 9, 2022, Mozambique reduced VAT from 17 percent to 16 Tax percent. 1092 Indirect tax On August 9, 2022, VAT exemption on imports for agriculture and electrification to boost renewable energy. 1093 346 Namibia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On May 27, 2022, Namibian imposed requirement of a special import permit for a list of horticulture products from 1 to 30 June 2022. The Trade Export/import restriction following beetroot, butternut, cabbage, English cucumber, colored pepper, green pepper, onion, pumpkin, sweet potato, and round and jam tomatoes. 1094 347 Export/import easing Direct tax On 29 April 2022, Namibia temporarily reduced fuel levies for three months (May to July 2022) by 50%. Fuel levies and taxes make up 34% to 45% of the cost of Namibian fuel per liter. These levies imposed on Namibian petrol and diesel prices include; a customs and excise duty for the SACU Revenue Pool; National Energy Fund Fuel Levy (comprised of the fuel equalisation levy, Namcor levy and National Oil Storage Facility levy), road user charges, which go to the RFA for road maintenance; fuel tax, which is collected by the finance Tax ministry for the State Revenue Fund as well as the MVA Fund levy Indirect tax used to finance the activities of MVA, such as providing financial assistance to road accident victims. Levies that were initially reduced include the road user charges (from 148 to 74 cents per litre), the fuel levy (from 90 to 45 cents per litre), the NAMCOR levy (from 7.6 to 3.8 cents per litre) and the MVA levy by 25% (from 50.3 to 37.725 cents per litre). On 9 August 2022, cabinet approved the extension of the temporary reduction of fuel levies, with the exception of the Fuel Tax, until such a time that fuel prices start to significantly fall back to affordable levels. This means that Namibia has discontinued the temporary reduction of the fuel levy by \nts on all products. 1095, 1096 348 Netherlands Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On March 21, 2022, Netherlands made €150 million available to support vulnerable households with a high energy bill and/or poorly insulated homes through insulation-improving measures. The system will be managed at the municipality level. 1097 On 20 September, the government also announced a price cap on electricity starting in January 2023, restricting the price of electricity to the average price from January 2022 for an average level of consumption. [October 2022] The Dutch government will lock the price of electricity at 0.40 euro/KWh and freeze the price of gas at 1.45 euros per cubic metre of gas. These price caps only apply for 2900 kilowatt hours of electricity and 1,200 cubic metres of gas. This measure will cost some 23.5 billion euro. The reduced payments will Subsidies begin as an estimate in November, and will take full effect in January. It will average out to a 190 euro monthly discount. 1098, 1099 [September 2022] Netherlands Housing benefits will increase by almost 17 euros per month. Social housing tenants with a low income can qualify for a 57 euro monthly rent reduction from July 2023, instead of a year later. €0.2 billion due to an increased rental allowance. 1100, 1101 [October 2022] As part of the price cap agreement, households will also receive 190 euros in compensation for the remaining months of 2022. 1102 [September 2022] Reimbursement for childcare will remain at a maximum of 95 percent, but will rise to 96 percent by 2025. In the Carribean Netherlands, a reduction in childcare costs by about 50 dollars per month. 1103 349 [September 2022] An estimated 35 million euros will be earmarked to help higher education students having difficulty paying their energy bills if they do not qualify for the energy allowance for lower income households. 1104 [11 March 2022] The government set aside 200-euro payments for the poorest households in the country to help them continue to pay their energy bills. 1105, 1106 On 21 March, the government agreed to raise the one-off energy allowance (energietoeslag) for people on incomes around the level of social assistance to €800 (previously €200). This additional package will cost a total of €2.8 billion. The government will fund the package in part from extra gas revenue and will also use the remaining funds from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. [September 2022] The one-off energy allowance has been further increased to €1,300. The measure will cost 1.4 billion euro. The municipality determines when the allowance is paid and how it is paid. This can be in one lump sum or instalments. The energy supplement of about €1,300 will be paid out again in 2023. Municipalities can already pay out €500 of the energy supplement for 2023 in 2022. 1107, 1108 Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers [September 2022] A temporary additional healthcare allowance of 412 euros will be introduced only for 2023, for a cost of 2.1 billion euro. 1109, 1110 [September 2022] The maximum healthcare allowance will increase to 154 euros per month. 1111 [September 2022] €0.7 billion is due to an increased child allowance. Households with costs related to children will temporarily receive more money to help cover costs. In 2023, this will amount to 1,653 euros for the first child, and 1,532 euros for each additional child in the home. This is up from 1,220 euros in 2022, and about 1,000 euros for each additional child. The increase will be phased out through 2028. Single parents may qualify for an additional 3,848 euro subsidy, 350 up from 3,285. In the Carribean Netherlands, child benefit increases of 40 dollars per month. 1112, 1113 [September 2022] Higher education students who do not live with their parents will be eligible for an additional subsidy of 165 euros per academic year from September 2023, on top of the monthly basic student grant of 280 euro. Total cost of measure amounts to 500 million euro. 1114, 1115 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [May 2022] Statutory pension would be raised by a cumulative 7.5% in 2023-24. [September 2022] €3.2 billion is to be spent on a 10% Social Insurance Pensions increase to statutory pension and welfare benefits. In the Carribean Netherlands, an increase in state pension of about 150 dollars monthly. 1116 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Wage subsidies Labor Market [May 1] Stepwise increase in the minimum wage (by a cumulative 7.5% in 2025). [September] In September 2022, as precursor to the Wage increase budget announcement, the government announced that it will be increasing the minimum wage by 10% to deal with inflation all at once instead than a stepwise increase. The minimum wage should be 351 approximately 1,935 euros gross per month for full-time workers. 1117, 1118, 1119 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing [September 2022] A decreased labor tax will cost the State 1.2 billion euro. 1120 [September 2022] The tax-free allowance to reimburse employees' travel expenses will rise from 19 cents to 21 cents in 2023. 1121 [September 2022] A tax deduction for self-employed people will be Direct tax reduced much faster than planned. The deduction was to fall from 6,310 euros to 5,950 euros. Instead, it will fall further to 5,030 euros. 1122 [September 2022] Reduced income tax rate for the first 73,071 euro Tax and the employed person's tax credit will rise to a maximum of 521 euros net per year. 1123 March 3, 2022, Netherlands lowered the rate of value-added tax (VAT) on energy from 21% to 9% and cut the excise duty on petrol and diesel by 21% from 1 April 2022 until the end of the year. 1124, 1125 [March 3, 2022] Netherlands cut the excise duty on petrol and diesel by 21% from 1 April 2022 until the end of the year. The reduced Indirect tax energy tax will cost €2.7 billion for the compensation of households. [September 2022] The reduction in excise duties on fuel previously established will be extended until July 2023, costing an additional €1.2 billion in lost revenue. 1126, 1127 [September 2022] VAT will no longer be charged on solar panel purchases from January. 1128 352 New Zealand Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On March 14, 2022, New Zealand announced that the country would cut public transport fares by 50% amid a suite of other changes to try to ease sharp increases in the cost of living. 1129, 1130 On May 19, 2022, New Zealand Government announced that it will hand out an extra few hundred dollars to more than two million lower- income adults to help them navigate what it describes as “the peak of the global inflation storm”. The payments are part of a package of new Unconditional cash transfers measures announced in the government’s annual budget. The inflation payments of 350 New Zealand dollars ($220) over three months begin in August and are targeted at the half of all adults who earn less than 70,000 New Zealand dollars ($44,000) per year. 1131 Social Assistance Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 353 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 354 Nicaragua Fuel subsidies On April 16th, the government announced that it would cover all future increases in the price of gasoline and diesel until next April (2023). 1132 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Market Labor market regulations Wage subsidies 355 Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 356 Niger Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies Niger Adaptive Safety Net Project 2 will support 117,000 households in 2022 through a designated drought response pilot program ($5m), quarterly cash transfers ($58.5m) and cash for work ($3.5m). The Unconditional cash transfers drought response pilot program has used satellite data to trigger an early response with monthly cash transfers over a 12-month period since March 2022. 1133 Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Part of the Niger Adaptive Safety Net Project 2 new 117,000 Public works households will be supported through cash for work ($3.5m). 1134 Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 357 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax On March 19, 2022, Niger decided to lower the customs tax of around Indirect tax 3.5% on millet, 35% on flour and 17% on sugar. This measure is estimated to cost 7 billion CFA Francs. 1135, 1136 358 Nigeria Fuel subsidies On April 16, 2022, the Nigeria's senate approved N4 trillion for petrol subsidy in 2022, this indicates an increase from the previous year where the total petrol subsidy in 2021 was N1.573 trillion. This increase is due to the rising price of crude oil and the depreciation of the local currency (Naira). Nigeria plans to tap 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) from its Eurobond sale last year to help fund its petrol subsidies as oil prices rise. In doing so, the federal government has extended the subsidy that was due to expire in June 2022 by 18 months. As of August, N2.568 trillion has been spent. 1137, 1138, 1139, 1140 Subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On August 1, 2022, Nigeria’s Yobe State subsidized fertilizer for the 2022 cropping season will be sold at N13, 000 per bag after discount. At the open market, a bag is currently sold at N17,000 to N20,000 depending on the location. Fees subsidies On 16 December 2021, with the objective to mitigate the short-term impact of the recent economic shocks on the poor and vulnerable population in both urban and ruralareas, Nigeria and the World Bank agreed to design a follow up National Social Safety Net Program- Scale Up (NASSP-SU) Project, through IDA financing of US$ 800 million. The Project Development Objective is to “Expand coverage of shock responsive safety net support among the poor and vulnerable Unconditional cash transfers and strengthen the national safety net delivery system.” NASSP-SU Social Assistance targets 10.2 million HHs (close to 50 million individuals) and will be implemented nationwide. The project was approved by the World Bank board of directors on December 16, 2021, and by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in March 2022. However, the project is yet to become effective, although the necessary technical preparatory activities are in progress. 1141 Conditional cash transfers 359 Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 360 North Macedonia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On 11 July, 2022, North Macedonia projected additional subsidies and transfers for the farmers, i.e. Denar 3.2 billion added to the initially projected subsidies, in order to stimulate generation of yields and increase productivity, cushion the price pressures on commodities. 1142 Fees subsidies [July 2022] North Macedonia announced an energy bill discount for those on low incomes over a twelve-month period. 6,500 low-income Subsidies households received the energy bill discount. An energy bill discount of 600 MKD (€10) is provided to eligible applicants from households with up to three members, while an energy bill discount of 800 MKD (€13) is provided to eligible applicants from households with four or more members. This is provided as a monthly discount for 12 consecutive months. Approximately 6,500 households applied for the energy bill discount, thus not exceeding the expected number of applicants (7,000) or the earmarked budget for this measure - 60,000,000 MKD (€9,719,938). 1143, 1144 [March 2022] Support includes a top-up benefit of 1,000 MKD (€16) for pensioners between March and May. 328,840 pensioners received the one-off support, and the total cost of this measure is 986,520,000 MKD (€16,007,941). 1145, 1146 [9 October 2022] 41,878 vulnerable citizens (social security and disability right users, parents of children with disabilities up to the age of 26 that receive a special allowance, persons with disabilities having Unconditional cash transfers a care provider that do not exercise the right to disability, people that Social Assistance have severe permanent changes in their health condition and do not exercise the right to disability, single parents beneficiaries of the GMI, unemployed with an employer that filed for bankruptcy) will receive 12,000 MKD (around 200 EUR) in 4 months (3,000 MKD or around 50 EUR) as support for the energy and food price crisis. Total fiscal implications of this measure are 8.2 million EUR (0.06 percent of Bank estimated GDP for 2022). Conditional cash transfers 361 Social pensions [March 2022] Pensioners and about 35,000 of the most vulnerable Unconditional in-kind transfers citizens will receive vouchers of 1,000 denars ($17.9/16.2 euro) per (food, vouchers, others) month for a period of three months to purchase basic food products. 1147 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [July 2022] Supplementary Budget also envisages funds for increase of pensions in line with the new pension calculation methodology, according to which the pension indexation is carried out as per the CPI trends. New pension methodology from February 2022 has 50 percent CPI – 50 percent average wages increase, carried out twice per year. 1148 Social Insurance Pensions [9 October 2022] 153,000 pensioners (around 45 percent of all the pensioners in the country) will receive 6,000 MKD (around 100 EUR) in 4 months (1,500 MKD or around 25 EUR) if their pension is up to 11,500 MKD (around 187 EUR) or will receive 3,000 MKD (around 50 EUR) in 4 months (750 MKD or around 12 EUR) if their pension is between 11,500 and 14,000 MKD (between 187 and 227 EUR). Total fiscal implications of this measure are 12.2 million EUR (0.09 percent of Bank estimated GDP for 2022). Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies [July 2022] Funds are also envisaged for wage increase subsidies for Wage increase the employees in the private sector, including the effect from subsidizing the minimum wage contributions. 1149 On 11 March 2022, the government of North Macedonia introduced a Trade Export/import restriction temporary export ban on several agricultural products in the context of 362 the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The temporary ban is in force from 11 March until 20 March 2022. More specifically, the following products are affected by this export ban: wheat, barley, corn, wheat flour, sunflower seeds, and sunflower seed oils. On 18 March 2022, North Macedonia extended the temporary export ban for the mentioned products until 15 April 2022. In May 2022, the government of North Macedonia eliminated the export ban on sunflower oil (please see related state act). In July, the government still continues the export ban on wheat, barley, corn, wheat flour until December 2022. 1150, 1151 Export/import easing Direct tax On March 10, 2022, North Macedonia announced that the VAT on fuels will be lowered to 10% from 18%. This is expected to cost EUR 400 million. 1152 On March 10, 2022, North Macedonia will remove VAT and freeze margins on sales of bread, sugar, flour, edible sunflower oil, milk, meat, rice and eggs. [Update] In mid-September, the government restricted the margins on basic food products (bread, sugar, sunflower oil, wheat, pasta, rice, milk, eggs) to 5 percent (bread, sugar, sunflower oil) or 10 percent (for the rest of the products) until 31.12.2022. All tax measures put together are expected to cost EUR 400 million. 1153 Tax Indirect tax On March 10, 2022, North Macedonia will also remove customs duties on all imports of basic food products. 1154 On March 10, 2022, North Macedonia will scrap VAT on imported natural gas, electricity, thermal and cooling energy. [9 October 2022] The Government will continue with this measure until the end of this year. All tax measures put together are expected to cost EUR 400 million. 1155 On March 10, 2022, in North Macedonia the application of the preferential tax rate of 5% for the supply of electricity to households will be prolonged. This measure will mitigate the impact of the rising electricity prices on the world stock markets and protect the living 363 standards of citizens. The preferential tax rate will be valid until December 2022. 1156 364 Norway Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On March 10, 2022, the Norwegian government announced that it is proposing an extension of the financial support in the form of subsidy it provided in December 2021 to help households cope with unusually high electricity prices. The amendment to the budget allowed for increased support to households in response to high electricity costs. The financial support for energy costs runs through March 31, 2022, with the law automatically expiring on July 1, 2022. The new government proposal would extend the legislation until March 31, Subsidies 2023 (worth €770 million). The government will pay 80% of the portion of power bills above prices of 0.70 krone per kilowatt hour (KWh), up from 55% in the plan devised in December. In addition, electricity companies must, monthly, send to the Norwegian Energy Regulatory Authority an overview of the sum paid as support to customers. [Update] In early September, the government allocated almost €1 extra billion - in revenues from state-owned power grid firm Statnett - to extend its scheme shield consumers from the higher energy bills. The measure will now cover 90% of the portion of power bills above prices of 0.70 krone per kilowatt hour (€0.067/KWh). This brings the total cost of the scheme - set to remain in place until at least March 2023- to €3.4 bn. 1157, 1158, 1159 On June 23, 2022, Norwegian parliament has decided to maintain the increase in housing allowance throughout 2022. As a result, more people will receive housing allowance and many people will receive more housing allowance during periods of high electricity consumption. Throughout 2022, the income ceiling will be higher, and the personal contribution will be lower. [October 2022] Extra funding Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers for housing benefits in October and November totaling 194 million kroner has been secured. 1160, 1161, 1162, 1163 Extra electricity allowance: people who were granted housing allowance in the period January - May, received in addition to housing allowance a fixed amount in support of electricity expenses. In the 365 period June - September, no extra support will be paid for electricity. If you are granted housing allowance in October, you will receive NOK 1,000 in extra support. In November and December, the support is NOK 1,500. You also get 150 kroner for each extra person you live with during the months with extra electricity support. The amount is independent of your actual expenses for electricity. 1164 On Monday 24 October 2022, the Government agreed to provide students with a one-off payment of 1,500 kroner this year due to increased electricity costs – with the total cost amounting to 210 million kroner. 1165 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing 366 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 367 Oman Fuel subsidies On November 9, 2022, Oman decided to cap fuel prices in line with the rates of October 2021. The government will bear the differences resulting from any increase in oil prices until the end of 2022. By the end of the first half of 2022, government subsidy amounted to OMR 314 million allocated for oil products subsidy (i.e, fuel prices were fixed since November 2021) 1166, 1167 Food subsidies In light of the current global geopolitical situations, which led to a rise in oil prices and price of basic food commodities, Oman revised the subsidies to mitigate the implications. By the end of the first half of 2022, OMR 11 million is allocated for basic food subsidy. 1168 Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On 31 May 2022, Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has announced availability of wheat kernel for the 2022/2023 season at a subsidized rate, in its efforts to support farmers and to achieve self-sufficiency in food. The ministry will provide one tonne of wheat seeds for RO300 for the new season to farmers. 1169 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Social Insurance Health insurance 368 Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On March 13, 2022, Oman has issued a decision No 89/2022 to add Tax more food commodities to the list of food items which are subject to Indirect tax Value Added Tax (VAT) at zero rate. The items include barley, corn, flour, beans and some animal feed. 1170 369 Pakistan Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On 7 March 2022, Pakistan launched a food subsidy program, Ehsaas Riyayat Ration Scheme, to provide a monthly subsidy of 30 percent on daily use commodities to 20 million households. Under the targeted subsidy for the middle and lower middle class, the prices of flour and cooking oil among others will be considerably reduced. 1171 On April 20, 2022, Pakistan’s Punjab government has announced to reduce by Rs100 the price of a 10kg flour bag, making the cost fall from Rs 550 to Rs 450, dubbing it a big relief for the people hit hard by rampant inflation. The government implemented a uniform system till Eid. 1172 On May 28, 2022, Utility Stores Corporation in Pakistan has been ordered by the government to provide 10 kilograms of flour bags at a subsidized rate of 400 PKR throughout the country. Updated: On June 21, Government announced that it will continue giving subsidy to the Subsidies poor and low-income groups on five essential items — wheat flour, sugar, ghee/edible oil, pulses and rice — in the next fiscal year. So far, 113 million people had benefitted from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s relief package and got subsidies of Rs60 per kg on wheat flour; Rs21 on sugar; Rs250 on ghee/oil, and Rs15 to Rs20 on pulses and rice. 1173, 1174 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On Oct 31, 2022, The government announced a special financial subsidy package of Rs1,800 billion to promote the agriculture sector and provide farmers, particularly in the flood-hit areas by providing free seeds to bring down prices of fertilizers. The prices of Di- ammonium Phosphate (DAP) would be reduced by Rs2,500 per bag, resulting in a benefit of Rs58 billion to the farmers. The price of a DAP bag would come down to Rs11,250. 1175 On Oct 31, 2022, The government announced a special financial subsidy package of Rs1,800 billion to promote the agriculture sector and provide farmers, particularly in the flood-hit areas free seeds, inexpensive loans and to bring down prices of fertilizers and electricity for tube wells. 1.2 million bags of certified seeds worth Rs 13.20 370 billion would be distributed among the farmers and the federal and provincial governments would share the funds required for it. 1176 Fees subsidies On May 28, 2022, Pakistan has announced a new relief package worth 28 billion PKR ($140 million) per month to mitigate the impact of the rise in prices of petroleum products on the lower-income people of the country. The relief package will provide around 14 million deserving families with immediate assistance of 2,000 PKR per month. The package will provide financial assistance to almost 85 million people which is nearly one-third of the total population of Pakistan. 1177 On Oct 26, 2022, the Asian Development Bank released $1.5 billion to the State Bank of Pakistan under the Building Resilience Under Active Unconditional cash transfers Countercyclical Expenditures (BRACE) Program on Wednesday. The $1.5 billion BRACE Program aims to support the government’s efforts to deal with the adverse impacts of devastating floods, supply chain disruptions, rising energy and fuel prices and inflation on the poor and Social Assistance vulnerable. The BRACE Program will expand the number of families receiving cash transfers through Benazir Income Support Program from 7.9 million to 9 million, increase the number of children enrolled in primary and secondary schools, and enhance geographic coverage of health services and nutritional supplies for pregnant and lactating mothers and children younger than two-years-old. 1178 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Social Insurance Paid sick leave 371 Health insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market On 9 May 2022, Pakistan imposed a complete ban on the export of Wage subsidies sugar, owing to the commodity's domestic demand. 1179 Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade On July 26, 2022, The Pakistani government is set to begin removing Export/import easing restrictions on the import of “non-essential and luxury items”. 1180 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 372 Panama Fuel subsidies On July 18th, the government officially put a price freeze on fuel (gasoline, diesel). The price for a gallon of regular gasoline will be held at USD$ 3.25. This is expected to cost USD$ 200 million. 1181 Food subsidies On July 25th, it was reported that the government reached an agreement to control the price of basic food items, some 72 products. This will be reflected in up to a 30% decrease in the actual cost of Subsidies many necessity food items. 1182 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On August 11th, the government announced a new measure attempting to lower prices for consumers. This measure was targeted to reduce the price of 170 medicine and other pharmaceutical products by 30%. This measure went into effect on August 15th and is set to last for 6 months. 1183 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 373 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 374 Paraguay Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On July 27th, the government announced price decreases for more than 100 products part of a basic basket of goods (mainly food products and health products). This measure was set to last until August 9th. The discount will be between 15-40%. 1184 Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance On July 6th, the government announced a series of new measures to help ease the burden of rising prices. One of which aims to increase the budget and the number of beneficiaries for the program aimed at Social Insurance Pensions assisting elderly people (Personas Adultas Mayores). The program seeks to add 15,000 beneficiaries with an added budget of G25 billion. 1185 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 375 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 376 Peru Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On December 15, 2021, Peru announced an additional subsidy (on top of existing subsidies) directed at low-income households that will reduce energy and electricity bills by 15%, using the taxes paid by the upper and middle classes. 1186 On August 15th, a one-off cash transfer was made available to provide additional funds to beneficiaries of three different social programs. This is the second time that the one-off is being provided, the first being at the end of April. One of the social programs is the “Juntos” program whose beneficiaries will receive a S/200 one-off. This will reach 643,157 households. 1187 On August 15th, a one-off cash transfer was made available to provide additional funds to beneficiaries of three different social programs. This is the second time that the one-off is being provided, the first being at the end of April. One of which is the the “Pensión 65” program whose beneficiaries will receive a S/250 one-off. This cash Unconditional cash transfers transfer will reach 577,043 individuals. 1188 Social Assistance On August 15th, a one-off cash transfer was made available to provide additional funds to beneficiaries of three different social programs. This is the second time that one-off has been provided, the first being at the end of April. One of which is the persons with disabilities program “Contigo”. A S/300 one-off will be given to individuals in this program. This will reach 77,063 individuals. 1189 On September 8th, a one-off cash transfer of S/270 was made available to provide emergency support to poor households which are not beneficiaries of Juntos, P65 and Contigo. This will reach 4.2 million households. 1190 Conditional cash transfers 377 Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On April 4, 2022, Peru announced it would exempt fuel from being charged a tax in order to try to reduce prices of gasoline. This is set to last until June 30, with the possibility to extend until December. 1191 On April 4, 2022, Peru announced it would exempt fuel from being Tax charged a tax in order to try to reduce prices of gasoline. This is set to Indirect tax last until June 30, with the possibility to extend until December. [Update] The government decided not to extend the measure, it has now ended. 1192 On April 8, 2022, it was reported that Peru had approved the exoneration of the general sales tax (IGV -- Peru's VAT) for a basic 378 basket of food products. This measure began on May 1, 2022 and is set to end on December 31, 2022. [Update] The government decided not to extend the measure, it has now ended. 1193, 1194 379 Philippines Fuel subsidies On March 16, 2022, A total of P569 million in fuel subsidy has been distributed by the state-run Land Bank of the Philippines to cushion the impact of oil prices hikes on public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers. 1195, 1196 On March 17, 2022, Philippines has doubled to 5 billion pesos ($95.88 million) on fuel subsidy program for public transport. On July 5, 2022, the government announced that his administration will continue providing fuel subsidies for the public transport sector to help soften the blow of rising oil prices. 1197 On August 26, 2022, to help them cope with high petroleum prices next year, public transport drivers, corn farmers and fisherfolk are expected to receive another P3.5 billion in direct fuel subsidies under the 2023 national budget, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations said on Thursday. 1198 Subsidies On July 17, 2022 The Department of Agriculture (DA) provided some P121,000 million worth of fuel subsidies to Nueva Ecija farmers in a bid to cushion the effects of rising fuel prices on the corn and fisheries sector. A total of 404 corn farmers from the province of Nueva Ecija received P3,000 worth of fuel discount cards on July 13, 2020. 1199 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On October 21, 2022, The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced an additional P4.1 billion into the government’s fertilizer subsidy program to help alleviate the burden on local rice farmers of the rising cost of the farm input. In the 2022-2023 dry cropping season, farmers tilling 0.5 ha and below are entitled to a fertilizer voucher worth P3,300, and for those tilling 0.51 ha to 2 ha, the voucher value will be computed by multiplying the farm area by P6,600. 1200 Fees subsidies On March 16, 2022, the Government of Philippines announced the Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers TCT Program which aims to support around 12.4 million vulnerable households belonging to the bottom fifty percent (50%) of Filipino 380 households, amid the rising prices of fuel and goods. The program shall provide cash grants amounting to PHP500 for six months from April to September 2022. 1201 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On March 17, 2022, The government is rolling out targeted subsidies amounting to 6.1 billion pesos for the transport and agriculture sectors. This consists of 5 billion pesos worth of fuel vouchers to qualified public utility vehicle drivers and operators who will receive a 6,500- Unconditional in-kind transfers peso fuel subsidy under the Pantawid Pasada program. Manila has also (food, vouchers, others) recommended additional fuel vouchers for farm producers by increasing the budget to 1.1 billion pesos from 500 million, so as to cut input costs. [6 July 2022] The government will continue distributing fuel subsidies to affected populations such as drivers, fisherfolk and farmers. 1202, 1203, 1204 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing 381 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 382 Poland Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies The “Anti-Putin” Shield, amongst other measures, envisions the support from the state budget to cover farmers who are in danger of losing financial liquidity. The aid will concern fertilizers that agricultural producers bought between September 1, 2021, and May 15, 2022. The subsidy will cover up to 50 hectares of land and will amount to PLN 500 per hectare of agricultural land and 250 PLN per hectare of meadows, pastures and grassland on arable land. Aid for farmers has been designed so that on the basis of invoices for purchases of fertilizers, compensation can be paid. It will be a compensation of around PLN 1,500 to one ton of fertilizer. 1205 [May 30] So far, the application has been submitted by about 370,000 farmers. 1206, 1207 Fees subsidies On July 14, 2022. Poland announced that the credit holidays will allow for the postponement of the repayment of a mortgage loan granted in Polish currency for a total of 8 months. Credit holidays will come into Subsidies force within 14 days from the date of its announcement. Therefore, applications can be submitted to banks on July 29, 2022. About 2 million people are entitled to credit holidays and as of August, over 500,000 families have already taken advantage of the government loan holidays. 1208, 1209 May 27, 2022, Poland announced to co-finance the "My Electricity" program for the years 2021-2023 from the React EU program. Over PLN 870 million will be allocated to co-finance photovoltaic panels. Beneficiaries can receive a subsidy of up to PLN 20.5 thousand. If individuals invest in several elements at once, the subsidy for panels will increase to 5,000. The co-financing for the remaining integrated devices is to be as follows: heat storage (up to PLN 5,000), energy storage (up to PLN 7,500), energy management system (up to PLN 3,000). 1210, 1211 [March 2022] As part of the Anti-Inflation Shield 2.0, the government extends until 2027 the protection against uncontrolled increase in gas 383 prices. The compensation will come to an estimated PLN 10 billion (EUR 2.2 billion). 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1216 [April 2022] The government has also rolled out the ‘MyHEAT programme’, with a budget of €140 million. This is based on subsidies for the purchase and installation of heat pumps in new homes with a higher energy standard. Subsidies account for 30%-45%. Eligible investment costs range from €1,500 to €4,500 (depending on the type of installed heat pump). Beneficiaries are owners or co-owners of new single-family houses. 1217, 1218 [July 2022] Another tens of thousands of homeowners will be able to take advantage of the new version of the "Clean Air" program. It is about the so-called "Czyste Air Plus", which will be launched on July 15, 2022 and will allow for pre-financing investments in thermal modernization of the house and replacement of heat sources with more ecological ones. The government has allocated PLN 1.8 billion for this program. 1219, 1220 On 13 September 2022, the government announced plans to cap electricity prices in 2023 at this year’s levels for the first 2000 kWh consumed for all households, up to 2,600 kWh per year for families with people with disabilities and at 3,000 KWh for large families and farmers. [October 2022] On 11 October, a new plan was announced to cap the price of electricity for consumption above the limits set out in September. For households the price cap was set at PLN 699/MWh (€144/MWh or €0.14/KWh). The price caps should apply from December 2022 to December 2023. The measure will be financed by revenues from windfall profit taxation on electricity producers and the state budget. The government estimates that nearly 17 million households will benefit from the electricity price freeze next year. Around PLN 23 billion (€4.8 bn) has been earmarked for these measures. 1221, 1222, 1223 On 13 September 2022, a special electricity allowance was announced for households that use electricity for heating – including 384 the use of heat pumps. The amount of the allowance is PLN 1,000 (€208), while for annual electricity consumption of more than 5 MWh it will be increased to PLN 1,500 (€312). The measure is targeted at some 800,000 households and is expected to cost PLN 1 billion (EUR 205.8 million). 1224, 1225 [November 2022] In 2023, under the Clean Air program, it will be possible to receive an increased subsidy over PLN 100,000. The purpose of the program is to promote cleaner and more efficient heating systems. The budget amounts to PLN 103 billion and it is financed from emission fees, the thermo-modernization fund, own resources of the Provincial Funds for Environmental Protection and Water Management, thermo-modernization relief and EU funds. Commercial banks have a share in financing. 1226 [March 2022] The electricity allowance to help households struggling with energy bills is determined based on the number of people in the household, income and whether or not it had coal heating. The first instalment is paid out at the end of March 2022, while the second will be sent out in December 2022. The measure will support about 7 million households. 1 person in the household - maximum PLN 500 per year; 2-3 people in the household - maximum PLN 750 per year; 4-5 people in the household - maximum PLN 1062.50 per year; 6 or more people in the household - maximum PLN 1,437.50 per Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers year. 1227, 1228, 1229, 1230, 1231 [August 2022] The carbon allowance is a special, one-time benefit in the amount of PLN 3,000 granted on the basis of the provisions of the Act of August 5, 2022. According to them, support is granted to households whose main source of heating is, among others, solid fuel boiler, fireplace or tiled stove, powered by coal, briquette or pellets containing 85% hard coal. The allowance is independent of the income earned by family members, and the basic condition for obtaining it is that the said source of heating is entered or reported to the Central Emission Register of Buildings (CEEB). 1232 385 [August 2022] Households that use heat from small-scale heating plants will receive a one-off allowance of between PLN 1,000 (EUR 210) and PLN 3,900 (EUR 830). 1233 [August 2022] A one-time allowance for households heating their houses with wood, wood pellets, fuel oil or LPG will amount between PLN 500 and PLN 3,000, depending on the heating source. The application for the allowance can be submitted by November 30, 2022. The commune will have a maximum of one month to examine the application and pay the allowance. 1234 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions [March 2022] Some five million families in Poland - which have Unconditional in-kind transfers welcomed in at least 1.8 million fleeing Ukrainians - are also to (food, vouchers, others) receive a package of aid to help them cope with rising food prices. 1235 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [March 2022] The government announced the payment of the 13th pension in April 2022. The funds allocated to the thirteenth retirement pension for all those entitled are to counteract inflation indirectly. ZUS will pay it to nearly 10 million old-age and disabled pensioners. In 2022, it will be paid in 6 terms along with the April pensions. The amount of the benefit will be PLN 1,338.44 (gross) and will be PLN Social Insurance 87.56 higher than in the previous year. No income tax will be charged on the amount of the 13th pension, but only a health insurance fee of Pensions PLN 120.46. 1236, 1237 On 9 November 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture said that from March 2023 farmer pensions will receive an indexation comparable to that from ZUS. 1238 [June 2022] The 14th pension will be disbursed under the same principles as the 13th pension, covering however a limit of the eligible 386 persons i.e., to the beneficiaries who receive the pension in the amount not exceeding PLN 2,900 gross. In the case of persons who receive the benefit in the amount exceeding PLN 2,900, the “zloty for zloty” principle will apply, meaning that the so-called 14th pension will be decreased by the amount exceeding over PLN 2,900. The fourteenth pension will go to about 9 million persons – about 7.7 million old age and disability pensioners will receive their payment in full, and about 1.3 million – in the reduced amount. In 2022, the cost is about PLN 11.4 billion. 1239, 1240 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Poland’s Anti-Inflation Shield 2.0 is a bundle of measures that will lower or temporarily remove VAT on food, petrol, electricity, or fertilizers starting from February until 31 July 2022. The reduced VAT rate on electricity will also apply for several more months. After lowering VAT as part of the first Shield, the time has come for further beneficial solutions such as: Tax - reduction of VAT on fuel from 23% to 8%, Indirect tax - reduction of VAT on natural gas from 8% to 0%, - reduction of VAT on basic foodstuffs to 0%, - reduced 5% VAT rate on electricity to remain in effect for longer, - reduction of VAT on system heat to 5%, - reduction of VAT on natural gas from 8% to 0%. The first Anti-Inflation Shield introduced in December 2021 included amongst its solutions: 387 - inflation allowance for households, - waiver of excise duty on electricity, - reducing VAT on electricity from 23% to 5%, - reduction of VAT on natural gas from 23% to 8%, - lowering fuel prices by reducing excise duty as far as possible, - reduction of VAT on system heat (provided by district heating networks) from 23% to 8%. Together with the first Anti-inflation Shield, these government measures will bring Poles savings totaling nearly PLN 25 billion. [June 2022] The Lower House of the Polish Parliament on 9 June 2022 passed legislation extending the application of anti-inflation measures (referred to as the Anti-Inflation Shield) to 31 October 2022 (from 31 July 2022). [August 2022] Poland has announced to extend the reduced VAT rates introduced as part of the Anti-Inflation Shield. Previously scheduled to expire on 31 October 2022, the following are extended to 31 December 2022. 1241, 1242, 1243 388 Portugal Fuel subsidies [May 2022] Portugal has been approved for a price cap on energy prices derived from natural gas and coal by the EU. These will initially be set at 40 euros per megawatt hour and can eventually be raised to 50 euros over the next 12 months. [Update] On June 8 the European Commission approved a €2.1 billion subsidy for Portugal to lower wholesale electricity prices until the end of May 2023. During the first six months of the application of the measure, a price cap will be set on gas at €40/MWh. As of the seventh month, the gas price cap will increase by €5 per month, resulting in a price cap of €70/MWh in the twelfth month. The measure will be financed by: (i) part of the so- called ‘congestion income' 1244, 1245 At the start of April 2022, the government introduced a new subsidy for the purchase of gas bottles of €10/month per bottle. The subsidy will last until the end of June and will be applied to the beneficiaries of the social tariff, an estimated 762,320 people. The funds will come from the Environmental Fund up to a maximum “ceiling” of €4 Subsidies million. 1246 [October 2022] Extra support for farmers with 10% off each litre of agricultural diesel. Support will cost €40 million. 1247 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On February 1, 2022, economically vulnerable consumers in Portugal are entitled to a discount by means of a social tariff for both the supply of electricity and natural gas (before the crisis). The discount of 33.8% applies to everyone, regardless of whether they are in the regulated or liberalized market. 1248 [October 2022] In addition to reinforcing household income, Portugal's State Budget includes a measure that limits the increase in rents. IRS compensation for landlords prohibited by law in increasing rents by more than 2% in 2023 (amount not specified). 1249, 1250 389 [September 2022] In addition to reinforcing household income, the State Budget includes a measure that freezes public transport prices – already announced under the “Families First” plan. The maintenance of public transport pass prices will cost 66 million euro. 1251 [October 2022] Extra subsidies towards housing for students. 1252 On 22 June, the Ministry of Labour announced a 60-euro family check to all households benefitting from the social energy tariff (to be paid in July, while other low-income households will get it in August). The budget cost is 64 million. 1253 On 5 September 2022, it was announced that another €2.4 billion euros will be spent by the Portuguese government to support low-income citizens against rising energy prices. The package called “Families first” accounts for 125 euros to be sent to each consumer with income less than 2700 per month, with an additional 50 euros per dependent. 1254 [October 2022] In October the government published its 2023 budget with multiple income-enhancing measures. The Social Support Index (IAS) was updated by 8%, to a value of 478.7 euros. This index is the reference value for the calculation and determination of various social Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers supports, such as the Family Allowance, the Social Inclusion Benefit, the Social Insertion Income, among others, which can impact the lives of 1.6 million beneficiaries. The budgeted cost is 155 million euros. 1255 [October 2022] Another measure adopted was the reformulation and extension of the minimum existence rules which are intended to protect low-income households which will benefit 800 thousand household at the cost of €200 million in 2023 and €300 million in 2024. 1256 [October 2022] A childhood guarantee for children in poverty was also designed for a value of 1,200 euros per year in 2023 and with a cost of €124 million. 1257, 1258 [October 2022] The commitment, initiated in 2022, to allocate at least the annual amount of 600 euros (50 euros monthly) to children 390 belonging to the 1st and 2nd tier of allowance benefits will be concluded. 1259 [October 2022] In 2023, the amount earned by children over 6 years old is increased to 50 euros. 1260 Conditional cash transfers [5 September 2022] Pensioners will receive a lump-sum amounting to Social pensions half a month’s pension. 1261 In March 2022, the government increased the value of the Autovaucher (obtained by paying at a fuel pump with a card) from €5 to €20 per beneficiary. "AUTO voucher" was introduced in November last year to reimburse fuel consumption at petrol stations. Financial support is provided by payment of 10 cents per liter up to a maximum Unconditional in-kind transfers of 50 liters per month. 50 liters would be approximately a tank of (food, vouchers, others) petrol per user per month. Each month 5 euros is paid directly to the bank account of the user. The program, as of march, has 2.4 million subscriptions. 1262 [October 2022] Meal allowances (which are part of wage packets) to increase from €4.77 per day to €5.20. 1263 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [October 2022] Contrary to previous years, the Government announced pension increases for the coming year at the beginning of September. Pensions up to €886 will increase by 4.43 percent. Those Social Insurance Pensions with a value between €886 and €2,659 will increase by 4.07 percent, while the rest (which would be subject to updating taking into account the legal formula in force) will increase by 3.53 percent. 1264 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) 391 Labor market regulations Wage subsidies [October 2022] The national minimum wage is expected to increase from the current €705 to €760 in January 2023. 1265 [October 2022] The Government has proposed wage increases for the civil service between 8 percent and 2 percent to unions, with a guarantee of a minimum of around €52 per year until 2026. The Wage increase minimum annual increase for the civil service will be equivalent to a change in salary level (approximately €52), ranging between 8 percent for the lowest remuneration in the table, which is €705, and 2 percent for earnings from €2,570.82. Salary increases, advancements and promotions in public administration and other valuations will cost €1,320 million in 2023, according to the report accompanying the budget proposal. 1266 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing [October 2022] The government increased the income tax brackets to the benefit of about 4 million people and by a price-tag of half a billion. 1267 [October 2022] Changes to IRS (income tax) scales – to cater for the Direct tax 5.1% salary increases agreed with social partners and to help increase family incomes. 1268 Tax [October 2022] IRS benefits for youngest taxpayers, allowing them to keep more income, on a sliding scale (50% in first year, 40% in second, 30% in third…). 1269 On 15 Oct 2021, the Portuguese national regulatory authority announced its proposal for electricity tariffs for 2022, in which it incorporates the measures announced by the government, following Indirect tax which it is worth noting that network tariffs will decrease more than 50% for households and 94% for industrials. It also announced that the regulated tariff for household consumers will decrease 3,4%, or 0,2% 392 if compared with the 2021 average tariff. The cut would come into force on July 1 and stay in place until the end of the year. 1270, 1271 In early March 2022, the Portugal decided to extend (until 30 June) a reimbursement mechanism for the VAT revenues along those from ISP (a tax on derivates of petrol, which was lowered by two cents per liter of petrol and by one cent per liter of diesel and was in place since October, 2021) resulting in an additional tax discount of 14.2 cents per liter on diesel and 15.5 cents per liter on petrol, as well as suspending an increase in the carbon tax. [September 2022] The European Commission has approved the request made by Portugal to temporarily go beyond the minimums set out in European ISP standards for a reduction in the tax burden on fuel, allowing it to accommodate the reduction of the Tax on Petroleum Products (ISP) equivalent to that which would result from a decrease of 10 percentage points (from 23% to 13%) in the VAT rate on fuel. The requested period of validity is until December 31, 2022, that is, within the maximum period allowed. In 2023 the taxation of the ISP (a tax on carbon footprint) is extraordinarily suspended. 1272, 1273, 1274 On February 13, 2022, vulnerable individuals in Portugal are also exempt from two of the three additional fees and taxes applied to electricity bills: the “special consumption tax” (IEC) and (partially) from the audiovisual (CAV) or ‘Netflix’ tax. 1275 [5 September 2022] To reduce prices consumers face, Portugal will reduce the VAT on electricity from 13% to 6%. 1276 [5 September 2022] The government also reduced gas tariffs. 1277 393 Qatar Fuel subsidies Food subsidies In February 2022, Qatar stabilized prices of essential items through Subsidies price control mechanism to regulate the prices.1278 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing 394 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 395 Réunion (France) Fuel subsidies Reunion has set up an exceptional discount of 15 centimes per liter is set up from April 1, 2022. This aid has a duration of 4 months. It limits the increase to 3 cents per liter for unleaded and 5 cents per liter for diesel. 1279 Food subsidies The prices of 153 products are blocked for one year in Reunion. A Subsidies basket of 153 products cannot exceed an overall price of 348 euros until February 28, 2023. There are a majority of food products, from local production or imported, but also nappies and potties for babies, but also hygiene and cleaning products. 1280 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Market Labor market regulations Wage subsidies 396 Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 397 Romania Fuel subsidies On May 26, 2022, Romania has proposed a 300 million lei ($63.7 million/60.6 million euro) fuel subsidy scheme to support some 3,000 transportation companies affected by the steep rise in fuel prices. The value of the aid granted is 0.5 lei per liter of motor fuel, but not more than the lei equivalent of 400,000 euro ($420,324) per enterprise. 1281 On June 24, 2022, the Romanian government announced that it will pay car fuel distribution companies a fixed subsidy of RON 0.5 per liter of petrol and diesel, under a three-month scheme aimed at mitigating the high fuel prices. Consequently, the end-user price will decrease by 0.5 RON per liter (some 5.5% for current prices).The scheme is expected to cost some RON 2 bln (EUR 400 mln), out of which the Government will cover half, leaving the other half in limbo. 1282 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On 7 September 2021, the Romanian Parliament passed a law to shield Subsidies vulnerable consumers from the energy price increases from 1 November 2021, with subsidies to be used for home-heating assistance, energy consumption, energy-efficient house equipment and the purchase of products and services improving the energy performance of buildings or connection to the energy network. 1283 On 4 October 2021, Romania's Minister of Energy announced compensation for gas bills. The measures are expected to last from 1 November 2021 to 31 March 2022 and affect approximately 6 million families or 85% of the Romanian population (this also includes compensation on electricity bills). 1284 On 4 October 2021, the Romania's Ministry of Energy announced compensation for electricity bills. The measures are expected to last from 1 November 2021 to 31 March 2022 and affect approximately 6 million families or 85% of the Romanian population (this also includes compensation on fuel bills). 1285 398 On March 24, 2022, The Capital City Hall in Bucharest (Romania) will come with a subsidy of approximately 650 lei, to cover the total cost of the heating prices, which amounts to 980 lei per month. General councilors PNL and USR PLUS have reached an agreement on the price of a gigacalorie in the capital, the people of Bucharest will pay the remaining 330 lei, compared to the 164 lei they currently pay. 1286 On 20 March 2022, the Romanian government imposed a one-year ceiling on electricity and natural gas prices. The measure will apply from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, after a similar scheme that was in force since November. Household customers who do not consume more than 100 kW per month will pay 14 cents per kilowatt, and if their consumption exceeds 300 KW, then they will be charged a maximum of 16 cents per kilowatt. Industrial customers will pay up to 20 cents per kilowatt. As for natural gas, its price for domestic consumers will be a maximum of 6 cents, and for industrial customers no more than 7 cents per kilowatt. 1287, 1288 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On April 11, 2022, 4.7 million pensioners and other low-income Social Assistance families will receive vouchers for basic food products worth 50 euros Unconditional in-kind transfers every two months. The vouchers will be distributed bi-monthly until (food, vouchers, others) January 2023. The Ministry of Labor announced on 2 June 2022 that the electronic meal vouchers are on their way to 2.5 million Romanians. 1289, 1290 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Social Insurance Health insurance Pensions 399 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies On April 12, 2022, The minimum statutory wage will increase by RON200 per month. 1291 Wage increase On April 12, 2022, A minimum statutory wage of RON3,000 will be introduced for workers in the agriculture sector. 1292 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax On 11 January 2022, the government announced a new protection Indirect tax scheme for household consumers with a monthly consumption of up to 300 kWh, including a VAT reduction to 5%. 1293 400 Rwanda Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On 30 June 2022, to support the crop intensification program (CIP), Rwanda allocated funds amounting to Rwf36 billion to help farmers get relatively affordable fertilisers and seeds in the 2022-23 fiscal year. Subsidies For instance, for NPK, the government provides Rwf475 a kilogramme in financial support to the farmer after the fertiliser price hike. As such, a farmer only pays Rwf882 per a kilogramme of NPK instead of Rwf1,357. 1294 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Market Labor market regulations Wage subsidies 401 Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax In July 2021, Rwanda government announced fuel subsidies by exempting taxes levied on fuel consumption. Recently, for the Tax months of June and Oct 2022, government expects to spend Rwf 23 Indirect tax billion. Since July 2021, government has spent about Rwf30 billion support until early June 2022. Government reviews the fuel subsidy every two months once and makes the required adjustment. 1295, 1296 402 São Tomé and Principe Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social pensions In August 2022, São Tomé and Principe delivered the first of three- Social Assistance month WFP-funded emergency food assistance and assets distribution to 1,500 households affected by the floods registered in December Unconditional in-kind transfers 2021 and March 2022. The assistance included food baskets consisting (food, vouchers, others) of rice, beans, pasta, oil, sugar and salt, and fishing materials. Estimated at USD 258,500, the emergency assistance will end by October 2022. 1297 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase 403 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 404 Saudi Arabia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On 4 July 2022, Saudi Arabia has allocated a total of 20 billion riyals ($5.33 billion) to dampen the effects of rising prices on citizens. Of which, an amount of $108 million is to be allocated as financial support to the beneficiaries of the Small Livestock Breeders Support Program. 1298 Unconditional cash transfers On 4 July 2022, Saudi Arabia has allocated a total of 20 billion riyals ($5.33 billion) to dampen the effects of rising prices on citizens. Of which, an amount of $2.1 billion will be allocated as additional financial support to the beneficiaries of the Citizen Account Program for the end of the current fiscal year. As of august, this reached 10.9 million beneficiaries and a family received on average SR1,974. 1299, 1300 Social Assistance Conditional cash transfers On 4 July 2022, Saudi Arabia has allocated a total of 20 billion riyals ($5.33 billion) to dampen the effects of rising prices on citizens. Of Social pensions which, a total of $532 million will also be distributed as an additional one-time pension payment to social security beneficiaries during the 2022 fiscal year. 1301 Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits 405 Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 406 Senegal Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On July 8, 2022, African Development Bank (AfDB) Group approved a €121 million loan to Senegal for implementation of an emergency agricultural program that will benefit 850,000 small farmers, 35% of whom are women. Under the first component, the program will help provide 7000 tonnes of cereal seeds, 3000 tonnes of cowpea seeds and Subsidies 15,000 tonnes of seed potatoes to farmers. In addition, a partnership agreement between the Senegalese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Equipment and the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research will facilitate a supply of pre-basic seeds. 1302 Fees subsidies On April 28, 2022, Senegalese government announced that it will continue to freeze the prices of hydrocarbons and electricity. In this context between January and April, the State released an envelope of 100 billion CFA francs (160 million USD). 1303 Senegal announced on May 10, 2022, an exceptional cash transfer operation in response to the joint effects of COVID-19 and the food and fuel price crisis. The program is supported by World Bank financing of US$80 million. Between May and July, the entire social Unconditional cash transfers registry (550,000 households across the nation, or the poorest third of the country) will receive a one-off digital transfer of 80,000 CFA (~$130). This cash transfer will help poor and vulnerable households with their daily needs in a context of prolonged impacts of the Social Assistance COVID-19 crisis and high inflation on energy. 1304, 1305, 1306, 1307 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Social Insurance Paid sick leave 407 Health insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 408 Serbia Fuel subsidies On February 12, 2022, Serbia set a price ceiling for Euro diesel and Euro premium BMB 95 at 179 dinars ($1.68/1.53 euro) and 171 dinars per liter, respectively. On April 29, Serbia announced that cap on petrol and diesel retail prices will remain in place until the end of Subsidies May. 1308, 1309, 1310 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies On Sept 2022, the Serbian government announced the increase of Wage increase minimum wage for the period January - December 2023, which increases the minimum wage from 1 January 2023 by 14.3 percent, i.e. 409 from RSD 201.22 per hour to RSD 230 per hour. This means that the average minimum salary in 2023 will be RSD 40,020 per month. This is a record increase in the minimum wage, which will exceed RSD 40,000 for the first time, and it is especially important that it was achieved that the minimum wage grows more than inflation in real terms, in order to preserve, but also improve, the quality of life of Serbian citizens. 1311 On March 10, 2022, the Serbian government introduced a temporary Export/import restriction ban on the export of wheat, maize, wheat flour, groats and sunflower Trade oil. 1312 Export/import easing Direct tax On March 10, 2022, Serbia reduced the excise duty levied on petrol Tax and diesel purchases by 20%. On April 28, 2022, Serbia further Indirect tax reduced the excise duty levied on petrol and diesel purchases by 15% from the levels before March 10, 2022. 1313, 1314 410 Sierra Leone Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On July 26, 2022, African Development Bank Group approved a grant of $2 million to boost food production in Sierra Leone. The program falls under the African Development Bank Group’s $1.5 billion African Emergency Food Production Facility, a response to the global food crisis that resulted from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has Subsidies deepened existing food insecurity in Sierra Leone. The program will focus on the production, harvesting and marketing of rice. The Ministry of Agriculture will provide smart subsidies to 67,000 smallholder farmers to reduce the cost of certified rice seeds and fertilizers. The project will be rolled out through the established e- wallet input distribution system over two cropping seasons, beginning in 2022. 1315 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 411 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 412 Singapore Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On June 21, 2022, Singapore announced that it is committing S$1.5 billion to provide fuel subsides which will be provided as inflation relief. As part of the support packages, one-off S$100 Household Utilities Credit for every Singaporean household to defray utility bills. About 1.2 million Singaporean households will receive household utilities credit by September. 1316, 1317 On August 24, 2022, Ministry of Education announced that about 44,000 students will benefit when transport for needy children in Subsidies primary and secondary schools and bursaries for pre-university students are increased from January 2023. Currently the monthly public transport subdsidy for primary to pre-university is $15 but from Jan 2023 it will be increased to $17. 1318 In a statement on Wednesday (Aug 24), MOE said one of the enhancements of the benefit increase for the needy children in primary and secondary schools will look at increasing the monthly school bus subsidy from 60% to 65% starting Jan 2023. 1319 On October 12, 2022, amid concerns over the rising cost of living, the Government will fork out an additional S$200 million to defer the bulk of public transport fare increases to next year's review, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) said. 1320 On June 21, 2022, Singapore announced that it is committing S$1.5 billion to provide fuel subsides which will be provided as inflation relief. As part of the package, one-off relief of S$150 for eligible taxi main hirers, private hire drivers will be paid in August to cover the Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers fuel cost. Private hire car drivers need to have completed an average of 200 trips per month from Mar 1 to May 31, 2022 to qualify for the measure. 1321, 1322 413 On 21 June 2022, Singapore announced that it is committing S$1.5 billion to provide fuel subsides which will be provided as inflation relief. As part of the measure, GSTV – Cash recipients will receive a GSTV – Cash Special Payment of up to $300, on top of the regular GSTV – Cash in 2022. About 1.5 million Singaporeans will be recipient of such a measure. 1323, 1324 On Oct 14, 2022, Government announced new relief measure worth $1.5 billion support package to combat the rising cost of living due to inflation. Cash of up to $500 will be given out to 2.5 million eligible adult Singaporeans in December 2022. This is on top of the up to $200 cash that lower-income Singaporeans will get in December from the GST Assurance Package. No application is required. 1325 On August 24, 2022, Singapore's Ministry of Education said that the Conditional cash transfers Pre-University Bursary will be increased to $1,200 a year from Jan 2023. Currently it is a $1,000 a year. 1326 Social pensions On Oct 12, 2022, Ministry of Transport said to further cushion the impact of the fare increase, 600,000 transport vouchers will also be disbursed to needy households 1327 Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) On Oct 14, 2022, Government announced new relief measure worth $1.5 billion support package to combat the rising cost of living due to inflation. An additional $100 in CDC vouchers will be distributed to every Singaporean household in January 2023. 1328 On August 24, 2022, Ministry of Education said one of the enhancements will look at increasing current subsidies from $2 per Conditional in-kind transfers school meal for seven meals a week for primary school to $2.60. (school feeding) Secondary school meal subsidies will increase from $2.90 per school meal for 10 meals a week to $3.50. 1329 Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits 414 Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) On June 21, 2022, Singapore announced that it is committing S$1.5 billion to provide fuel subsides which will be provided as inflation relief. As part of the support package, Malaysia's export ban on live Labor market regulations chicken has cut off the livelihoods of chicken slaughterhouses, they will receive one month of foreign worker levy waiver. As most of the chicken slaughterhouses have had to put their employees on leave, given that the main activity there is to slaughter live chickens. 1330 Labor Market Wage subsidies On June 21, 2022, Singapore announced that it is committing S$1.5 billion to provide fuel subsides which will be provided as inflation relief. As part of the support package, government will increase its co- funding share of wage increases for local lower-wage workers under Wage increase the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme. The Government’s co-funding share of eligible wage increases in 2022 will go up from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for resident employees with gross monthly wages up to S$2,500. For wages above S$2,500 and up to S$3,000, the co-funding will be raised from 30 per cent to 45 per cent. 1331 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On February 18, 2022, Singapore announced that it delay the planned Tax Goods and Services Tax (GST; i.e, VAT) hike to 2023 and stagger the Indirect tax increase in two steps. The first increase from 7 per cent to 8 per cent will take place on Jan 1, 2023, and the second increase from 8 per cent to 9 per cent will take place on Jan 1, 2024. 1332 415 Slovak Republic Fuel subsidies [February 2022] The Slovakian government reached a deal with Slovenské elektrárny, the company running the two power plants in the country, which agreed to sell 6.15 TWh 1333,1334, 1335 Subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies [May 2022] One-off allowance for households in material need €100. The €100 allowance is mainly intended to cover increased housing costs, mainly due to high energy prices. In total, this amount will amount to EUR 5.8 million. This allowance can also be paid to parents who will also receive a one-off child allowance. 1336 In May 2022, a new anti-inflation package worth €1 billion was proposed by the Ministry of Finance and seeemd set to became law in August 2022. The measures include a one-time €100 per child subsidy. Unconditional cash transfers This allowance is for each family and each child who is entitled to child benefit. A total of 661,000 parents and 1.1 million children will be affected. The amount of the increased one-off child benefit will be EUR 83 million. The allowance applies to all children, without age limit, who are attending secondary or higher education, even if they Social Assistance are over 18 years of age. 1337, 1338 In May 2022, a new anti-inflation package worth €1 billion was proposed by the Ministry of Finance and seemed set to became law in August 2022. The measures include bigger child allowances. 1339 Conditional cash transfers [May 2022] One-off contribution of €100 for seniors. The Department of Labour proposes to provide this allowance to persons of pensionable age, over 62 years (inclusive), who have not become Social pensions entitled to a pension and therefore will not be entitled to a 13th pension. This is a group of approximately 102 thousand people for whom this aid amounts to 10.2 million euros. 1340 Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) 416 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [May 2022] Beneficiaries of old-age, early retirement, disability pensions, as well as beneficiaries of all survivors' pensions - widow's, widower's and orphan's pensions - are entitled to an early 13th pension. The amendment to the Act on the 13th pension (Act No. 296/2020 Coll.) will pay the 13th pension in full in July from the budget chapter of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of Social Insurance Pensions the Slovak Republic in the total amount of approximately EUR 301.2 million. With an expected number of 1.44 million recipients of pension benefits, this will amount to approximately EUR 209.60 on average. The conditions for entitlement to the 13th pension remain the same as in the previous period. The comprehensive increase in pension benefits based on consumer price increases will only be reflected from 1 January 2023. 1341 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing In May 2022, a new anti-inflation package worth €1 billion was proposed by the Ministry of Finance and seemed set to became law in Tax Direct tax August 2022. The measures include bigger tax breaks for families with kids. From July 1, 2022, the amount of the tax bonus will not only depend on the age of the child, but also on the amount of the 417 employee's tax base and the number of children. From 1/7/2022 to 31/12/2022, the child tax bonus amounts to: - €70 per child under the age of 15 - €40 per child aged 15 and over At the same time, but up to a maximum height of: - 20% of the partial tax base - for 1 child - 27% of the partial tax base - with 2 children - 34% of the partial tax base - with 3 children - 41% of the partial tax base - with 4 children - 48% of the partial tax base - with 5 children - 55% of the partial tax base - for 6 or more children 1342, 1343 Indirect tax 418 Slovenia Fuel subsidies [March 2022] The Slovenian government set the maximum retail price of gasoline. The maximum price of 95-octane gasoline was set at 1.503 euros (about 1.6491 U.S. dollars) per liter and that of diesel at 1.541 euros (about 1.6908 U.S. dollars) per liter. The set prices will be valid for 30 days. On April 1, price control on fuel price were extended, and set at wholesale price (which is lower than the previously set price). The wholesale prices were frozen at €1.483 per liter of petrol and €1.521 per liter of diesel, wholesalers will have a two-cent profit margin. On May 10, the government reintroduced a price cap on motor fuels after eliminating it at the end of April. Slovenia set the maximum retail prices at 1.560 euro per liter for regular petrol and 1.668 a liter 1344 [October 2022] Drivers of diesel- fueled vehicles save EUR 6.35 on a 50-litre tank. 1345, 1346, 1347 Food subsidies [October 2022] The Government adjusted the taxation of reimbursements of employee expenses for food to mitigate high food prices. The Government ensured that the price of lunches and accommodation of students in secondary school and university Subsidies dormitories in the 2022/2023 academic year is not increased as per the previous academic year and the difference will be covered from the budget. 1348 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies [October 2022] In 2022, the Government will earmark EUR 22.3 million for agriculture and fisheries (subsidies for fuel and fertilisers, purchase of intermediate goods, assistance for the dairy sector), of which more than EUR 1.7 million will be from the European funds. Some EUR 7.5 million (EUR 5.2 million from the European funds) of aid will be paid in 2023. 1349 Fees subsidies July 14, 2022, Slovenia announced that electricity prices for households and small and medium-sized companies will be capped from 1 September 2022 to August 2023. It is expected that, depending on the provider, households will pay between 15% and 60% less for electricity than now. [Update] In September, the government capped the prices of electricity and gas for one year for households and small business customers, and in the case of gas, also for other groups of protected customers (hospitals, medical institutions, homes for the elderly...). Until May 2023, a reduced VAT rate of 9.5% applies to the 419 supply of electricity, natural gas, firewood and district heating. Regulation of heating oil prices is also announced. 1350, 1351 [October 2022] Similarly to what was done in January 2022, the government announced it will pay out a new one-off energy allowance of EUR 200 (whereby the amount of the allowance increases in accordance with the number of children in a household). This will be provided to individuals or families on financial social assistance or income support in the period between 1 August 2022 and 31 March 2023. The allowance will be received by approximately 71,000 individuals and families. The measure is assessed to be worth EUR 35 million. The energy allowance in the amount of EUR 200 will Unconditional cash transfers also be paid out to the weakest categories of disabled people in terms of income. Some 13,500 persons will receive the allowance. 1352, 1353 [October 2022] The dearness allowance in the amount of the child benefit (EUR 122.79) for the first child will be paid out to eligible families in accordance with their income class in November and December 2022 and January 2023. More than 353,000 children will Social Assistance receive additional funds by means of this measure and the Government will earmark EUR 63 million for this purpose. 1354 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions [29 January 2022] The National Assembly approved assistance to people in the form of an energy voucher, which will be received by around 710,000 beneficiaries, including families receiving child Unconditional in-kind transfers allowance and large families. Beneficiaries receive a voucher worth (food, vouchers, others) €150. Individuals who are entitled to a large family allowance for four or more children for 2021, in addition to the allowance of 150 euros, are also entitled to an additional allowance of 50 euros, so they receive a total of 200 euros energy voucher. 1355, 1356, 1357 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Social Insurance Health insurance 420 Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On Jan 29, 2022, Slovenia announced the exemption from paying the network fee for three months, from 1 February to 30 April. Paired with reduction of excise duties on electricity at the lowest possible level, Tax and reduction of excise duties on motor fuels and heating oil from 1 Indirect tax February to 31 July 2022. The government expects the amount on payment of slips to be reduced by 30-35 percent, as this exemption. [July 2022] The excise fee on electricity will remain at 50% of the headline level, whereas the contribution for renewable sources will be cut in half. 1358, 1359 421 Somalia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On June 22, 2022, the World Bank approved the Second Additional Financing of SDR 106.40 million (US$ 143 million; 2.1% of its GDP) to Somalia’s Shock Responsive Safety Net for Human Capital Project to support the vertical and horizontal expansion of the Baxnaano program. From a coverage standpoint, the emergency cash transfers Unconditional cash transfers will reach to about 375,000 households (2.25 million; 14.2% of the population), compared to 200,000 beneficiary households (1.2 million individuals; 8% of the population) in the parent project. A benefit size of US$60 per month for 6 months will be provided as shock- Social Assistance responsive top-ups to existing beneficiaries, and as emergency cash transfer to non-Baxnaano households. 1360 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 422 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 423 South Africa Fuel subsidies On March 31, 2022, South Africa announced price cap on 93 octane petrol, allowing retailers to sell at a price below the regulated price.1361 Subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies In May 2022, it was announced that the Government of South Africa continues to offer the SASSA Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD 350), a grant of R350 per month for 6 months to be paid to individuals who are currently unemployed, do not receive any form of income, social grant or UIF payment etc, and include both Refugees and Asylum Seeker permit holders. The threshold to qualify for the R350 social relief of distress grant will be raised to R624 from the current R350. This means that, whereas before, those with income flows Unconditional cash transfers valued at R350 or more into their bank account from other sources were not eligible to benefit, the cut-off has been raised to R624. 1362 On Oct 11, 2022, it was reported that the child support grants (CSG) Social Assistance for those taking care of orphaned children will be increased to R720 a child a month, from R480. No social worker’s report or court order are needed to access the top-up. This is designed to improve the accessibility of the CSG program to, as best as possible, meet the basic needs of orphans. 1363 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Social Insurance Health insurance Pensions 424 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On March 31, 2022, South Africa agreed a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy to be funded by a liquidation of a portion of the strategic crude oil reserves. The general fuel levy is temporarily reduced by R1.50 per liter from 6 April 2022 to 31 May 2022. This will reduce the general fuel levy for petrol from R3.85 per liter to Tax R2.35 per liter and reduce the general fuel levy for diesel from R3.70 Indirect tax per liter to R2.20 per liter for two months. On May 31, 2022, the South Africa decided to extend its fuel subsidy for another two months. This will be accomplished by extending the R1.50 per liter respite from June 1 to July 6, 2022. The relief will then be reduced to 75c per liter for the second month, (i.e., from July 7 to August 2, 2022). The temporary fuel levy reduction expired on August 3, 2022. The fuel tax levy reduction costs 6 billion Rand. 1364, 1365, 1366 425 South Korea Fuel subsidies On May 17, 2022, South Korea has announced plans to provide more subsidies to cargo truck and taxi drivers who are suffering from a hike in diesel prices in a bid to ease the burden from rising fuel costs, the finance ministry said Tuesday. The government plans to lower the threshold price set for subsidy payments to 1,750 won (US$1.37) per liter from the current 1,850 won. The diesel subsidies have been applied to diesel-fueled logistics vehicles across the nation, including Subsidies 445,000 cargo trucks, 21,000 buses, 9,300 taxies, and 1,300 cargo ships, according to the ministry. Update: The government decided to extend subsidies for diesel vehicle drivers until the end of this year to help ease their burden from high fuel costs. 1367, 1368, 1369 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) 426 Labor market regulations Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade On April 4, 2022, South Korea had put restrictions on exports of Urea. Export/import easing However, this expired at the end of March 2022. 1370 Direct tax On July 1, 2022, Seoul has extended the rates that took effect from Nov. 12, 2021, shaving taxes of 164 won ($0.13), 116 won and 40 Tax won off every liter of gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas Indirect tax (LPG), respectively, until the end of 2022. The South Korean government would expand the scale of auto fuel tax cuts to a record 37% effective July 1 until end-2022 in an emergency measure to curb surging inflation and retail fuel prices, June 20, 2022. 1371, 1372 427 Spain Fuel subsidies [March 25] Within a larger package, there will be a subsidy of 20 cents (euro) per liter of gasoline, of which 15 cents will be subsidized by the government and 5 cents by the gasoline companies. Set to be in effect until the end of December, 2022. 1373 [May 9] Spain has been approved for a price cap on energy prices derived from natural gas and coal from the EU. These will initially be set at 40 euros per megawatt hour and can eventually be raised to 50 euros over the next 12 months. 1374 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies [March 25, 2022] Spain announced 16 billion euros in direct aid, tax cuts, and soft loans to help companies and households' weather high Subsidies energy prices. Within that package, 10 billion euros will go towards subsidized loans. 1375 On March 29th, the Spain announced a measure to cap the increase in rent (housing) to 2%. Initially set to last 3 months, this measure has been extended until the end of December, 2022. This measure was expected to cover 875,000 renters. 1376, 1377 On July 12th, Spain announced multiple measures to help ease the burden of higher prices and to try to reduce prices. One of these is a horizontal expansion of current scholarship programs for students 16 and older in higher education. Additionally, these students in scholarship programs will receive 100 euros a month between September and December 2022. It is estimated that one million students currently have a scholarship as of July 2022. 1378, 1379 On July 8th, the government announced a one-off cash transfer targeted to low income households in order to help with the crisis of Unconditional cash transfers rising prices. This transfer will be in the amount of EUR 200. This Social Assistance measure is expected to reach 2.7 million people and is expected to cost EUR 540 million. 1380, 1381, 1382 Conditional cash transfers 428 Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax [March 28, 2022] Spain announced 16 billion euros in direct aid, tax cuts, and soft loans to help companies and households' weather high energy prices. Of the total, 6 billion euros will go to direct aid and to expand upon an existing tax cut program related to Covid-19. 1383 Tax On June 22, 2022 Spain announced a reduction in the VAT for Indirect tax electricity from 10% to 5%. This is in response to increased prices for electricity. A decrease happened in July of 2021 from 21% to 10% also in response to high energy prices. This new measure is expected cost the government between 700 and 800 million euros in lost tax revenue. 1384, 1385 429 Sri Lanka Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On October 9, 2022, the Sri Lankan government allocated 16 billion Sri Lankan rupees (43.59 million U.S. dollars) in organic fertilizer subsidies for paddy farmers in the coming farming season. 1386 Fees subsidies On 14 April 2022, Sri Lanka's state-owned petroleum corporation Subsidies (Ceylon Petroleum Corporation) announced fuel rationing for vehicles with effect as a historic economic crisis roils the country. It said that motorcycles and other two-wheelers can purchase fuel worth up to Rs 1,000 per visit to petrol pumps. Three-wheelers can buy fuel worth Rs 1,500, while cars, jeeps and vans can purchase it for up to Rs 5,000. Buses, lorries and commercial vehicles have been exempted from the fuel rationing. 1387, 1388 Due to the increase in cost of living, on 2 January 2022, Sri Lanka decided to provide additional Rs. 1,000 per month to Samurdhi beneficiaries starting from January 2022. 1389 Due to the increase in cost of living, on 2 January 2022, Sri Lanka increased pensions income by Rs. 5,000 per month starting from Unconditional cash transfers January 2022. 1390 On August 22, 2022, following a 290 percent price hike for kerosene, Sri Lanka has decided to provide a direct cash transfer to low-income Social Assistance families, fisherfolk and plantation workers, the Ministry of Power & Energy said. 1391 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Social Insurance Paid sick leave 430 Health insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Due to the increase in cost of living, on 2 January 2022, Sri Lanka Wage increase increased civil servants’ salaries by Rs. 5,000 per month starting from January 2022. 1392 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Due to increase in cost of living, on 2 January 2022, Sri Lanka Indirect tax exempted all food and medicine items from taxes (VAT) starting January 2022. 1393 431 St. Kitts and Nevis Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies In April, the government announced an extension to the existing Unconditional cash transfers Income and Disabilities Support program for 3 months, set to expire in June 2022. 1394 Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax 432 In April, the government announced a reduction in the excise tax for fuel to last from April to September 2022. 1395 In April, the government announced an extension of the yearly elimination of import duties on food items that normally is only active during December. It was set to last from May 1st to September 30th. This will allow for duty and tax free importing of food items. 1396 Indirect tax In April, the government announced a cap on freight costs which usually factor into the calculation of import duties for all goods. The cap was set at the average cost for 2019 and is set to last for 8 months. 1397 In April, the government announced an extension to the measure which removed the VAT and import duties on health and hygiene products for a period of 6 months. 1398 433 St. Lucia Fuel subsidies During this fiscal year for the period, July 4th – July 24th, 2022, importers of petroleum products had to be refunded $1 million to fully offset the negative excise tax which was incurred due to high imported prices. This was to allow for lower retail prices. More than $22 million in potential revenue collection on petroleum imports has been sacrificed to keep retail fuel prices low. 1399 Food subsidies Importation costs of flour, rice, and sugar have significantly increased on the international market. To keep prices down for local consumers, the government has absorbed the increased costs to the tune of $9.8 million until July, 9, 2022. 1400 On August 18, 2022, The Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs would like to inform the public that the creole loaf and sandwich loaf are price controlled and protected by the Distribution and Price of Goods Act Cap. 13.09; and Statutory Instrument # 67 of 2013. Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On September 13, 2022, The Government of Saint Lucia has approved Subsidies a 30 percent subsidy on inputs for banana farmers in light of the rising cost of production and productivity challenges faced by stakeholders in the banana sub-sector. Fees subsidies To date (July, 2022), the government has spent $9 million to subsidize cooking gas which has prevented exorbitant price increases. The subsidized 20 and 22-pound cylinders of cooking gas cost $45.27 and $49.79, respectively. Without the subsidies by the government, the retail prices for the 20 and 22-pound cylinders of cooking gas would cost $72.90 and $80.18, respectively. 1401 On August 15, 2022, the Ministry for Equity was leading discussions with the island’s lone electricity provider, the Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC), to make the vital utility available to consumers on a pre-paid basis. Speaking against the backdrop of the announcement of the Flow Home Communications Bundle, an initiative negotiated between the Government Saint Lucia and telecommunications provider FLOW that would benefit approximately 5,000 less fortunate households, Minister Henry further announced 434 that FLOW was considering the idea of introducing solar powered modems for the most marginalized households in society. 1402 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers On July, 2022, government pensioners have each received a $500 direct deposit from the government to supplement and strengthen their spending power in the face of rising consumer prices. The government has allocated approximately EC$1.5 million. Social Assistance Social pensions Announced on July 2022, National Insurance Corporation will increase its fixed pension rate by 4.2% commensurate with Consumer Price Index (NIC pensioners will receive a 4.2 percent increase in monthly pension payments). The increased pension payment will be made in August 2022 and will include a retroactive payment for July 2022. The increase is projected to cost EC$4 million per year. Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies By the end of April 2022, public servants received a one percent wage Wage increase and salary increase. The one percent wage and salary increase represents approximately, an additional EC$4.5 million per annum for 435 public servants. A further two percent wage and salary increase is scheduled to take effect in 2023. 1403 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On June 10th, the government announced the suspension of the 6% Tax service charge on imported goods that are outlined in the Price Indirect tax Control Order list. Since July, 2022, price-controlled goods are 6% cheaper due to the government’s decision to suspend the service charge amidst rising global inflation. 1404, 1405 436 St. Martin Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Tax Direct tax 437 On June 21st, the government announced a reduction of the excise tax on imported fuel from NAF 29 cents to NAF 15.5 cents per liter. Indirect tax This does not affect the price of diesel, only gasoline. This is set to last for 6 months. 1406 438 St. Vincent and the Grenadines Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On June 15th, the government announced a new energy subsidy to help lower the expected increase in energy costs in order to help Subsidies protect consumers from the highest energy prices since 2008. The government is proposing to split the EC$ 0.14 per kWh increase where the government and the state’s energy company (VINLEC) will pay for half and the consumer for the other half. VINLEC’s 47,000 customers are the expected beneficiaries. Expected cost to the government for one month is EC$ 300,000. 1407 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor Market Labor market regulations Wage subsidies 439 Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Starting May 1, 2022, St. Vincent and the Grenadines announced the waiving of customs service charge on all fuel bought by the state- owned enterprise VINLEC (the only commercial generator of electricity). 1408 Tax Starting May 1, 2022, St. Vincent and the Grenadines announced a Indirect tax policy that would remove the custom service charge on cooking fuel. 1409 Starting May 1, 2022, St. Vincent and the Grenadines implemented a policy that would halve the excise tax on fuel. The excise tax was about EC$2.10 for every gallon of gasoline and EC$3 for diesel. 1410 440 Sudan Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On July 21, 2022, World Bank signed an agreement with the WFP to provide $100 million in financing to WFP for a new Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project. The project has two components – Unconditional Cash and Unconditional food programs. Unconditional Cash Transfers would cost US$72.6 million. This sub-component will finance unconditional cash transfers to the most vulnerable households facing food insecurity, to smoothen consumption needs. Cash transfers will Unconditional cash transfers be provided to food insecure households in localities with functioning food markets. It will provide cash transfers of US$7 per person per month in the targeted households for a total of four months. This subcomponent will benefit about 1,900,000 beneficiaries (320,000 households). About 50 percent of the primary grant recipients will be women. The sub-component will also finance fees for payment of service providers and Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) partners supporting cash transfer implementation. 1411 Social Assistance Conditional cash transfers Social pensions On July 21, 2022, World Bank signed an agreement with the WFP to provide $100 million in financing to WFP for a new Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project. The project has two components – Unconditional Cash and Unconditional food programs. Unconditional Food Transfers will cost US$3.8 million. It will finance unconditional food transfers Unconditional in-kind transfers to the most vulnerable households facing food insecurity to smoothen (food, vouchers, others) consumption. Food transfers will be provided in localities with poorly functioning food markets. Each individual in the beneficiary households will receive food equivalent to US$7 in monthly transfers for four months. In practical terms, this will include 240 grams of sorghum, 30 grams of pulses, 15 grams of vegetable oil and 5 grams of salt per person per day. There will be no limitation on the household 441 size. It will benefit at least 100,000 beneficiaries (17,000 households). About 50 percent of the primary food recipients will be females. The sub-component will also finance food-transfer related costs. 1412 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On 27 May 2022, Sudan issued emergency order banning the transfer of any quantity of the locally produced wheat crop out of Northern State, without written permission from the Ministry of Production and Economic Resources. This does not include small quantities deemed to Export/import restriction Trade be for personal use. The authorities warn that violation of this order carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years, and a fine of at least SDG 100,000. Any wheat found to be transported in violation of the order will be seized by the Northern State government. 1413 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 442 Suriname Fuel subsidies On April 8th, the government announced a temporary fuel subsidy to fight the rising price of gasoline and diesel for consumers. They will use the increased profits from the oil sector due to the rise in the price Subsidies of oil to fund this subsidy. 1414 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 443 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 444 Sweden Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On March 14, 2022, Sweden announced a $1.45 billion (€1.32 billion, or 14 billion kronor) in fuel and power subsidies to help Swedes cope with soaring prices resulting from the Ukraine conflict. As part of it, the compensatory payment for electricity costs will be extended for another month in southern and central Sweden. The compensatory Subsidies payment will be extended with lower payment levels for the month of March in electricity price areas 3 and 4 in southern and central Sweden, where prices have increased the most. Reimbursement will be provided to households whose electricity consumption is from 400 kWh to 2,000 kWh per month. The lower limit will be reduced in comparison with the earlier compensatory payment so as to include households with lower electricity consumption. The compensatory payment will be from SEK 100 to SEK 1,000 and include approximately 2 million households. The total cost of this measure is estimated at SEK 900 million. 1415 The Swedish parliament also voted through an increase in the housing supplement of SEK 100 for single people and SEK 50 for cohabitants. 1416 Unconditional cash transfers On March 14, 2022, Sweden announced a $1.45 billion (€1.32 billion, or 14 billion kronor) in fuel and power subsidies to help Swedes cope with soaring prices resulting from the Ukraine conflict. As part of it, the housing allowance for families with children will be temporarily Social Assistance increased from July to December 2022. 1417 On March 14, 2022 Sweden announced that to protect households in financial difficulties from dramatic price increases, a temporary extra child allowance will be introduced until December 2022 for families with children that are, or later this year will be, eligible for housing Conditional cash transfers allowance. The extra child allowance will be equivalent to 25 per cent of the preliminary housing allowance and will at most amount to SEK 1,325 per month. The total cost is estimated at SEK 500 million. 1418 445 On March 14, 2022, Sweden announced a $1.45 billion (€1.32 billion, or 14 billion kronor) in fuel and power subsidies to help Swedes cope with soaring prices resulting from the Ukraine conflict. As part of it, additional funds will be allocated to the appropriation for the climate bonus. To continue to promote the transition to environmentally friendly vehicles, reduce dependency on fossil fuels and meet rapidly increasing sales of climate bonus cars (primarily electric), the appropriation for the climate bonus will be increased by SEK 3.9 billion. Therefore, a person who buys an electric car will continue to receive SEK 70,000 in financial support. On July 12, 2022, the Swedish government has passed several amendments to the climate bonus for cars. These include the introduction of a price cap on the climate bonus equal to a new car price of SEK 700,000. The bonus for plug-in hybrids is reduced from the current level of SEK 45,000 to SEK 20,000 and, in addition, the CO₂ emissions limit for the bonus malus system is being reduced from 60 g CO₂/km to 50 g CO₂/km. 1419 On March 14, 2022, Sweden announced a $1.45 billion (€1.32 billion, or 14 billion kronor) in fuel and power subsidies to help Swedes cope with soaring prices resulting from the Ukraine conflict. As part of it, a new compensatory payment for fuel costs will be introduced to private individuals who own a car. The support will amount to SEK 1,000 per car owner. On top of it, people who own a car and live in municipalities located in regional policy support areas 1, 2 and 3 will receive an additional compensatory payment of SEK 500. For the most part, this applies to sparsely populated and rural areas where distances travelled are long. The basic premise is that the compensatory payment is paid automatically. The total cost of this measure is estimated at SEK 4 billion. 1420, 1421 Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Social Insurance Health insurance 446 [June 2022] The Swedish parliament has voted to increase the guaranteed pension by SEK 1,000 per month before tax from August 2022. This change gives a new minimum guaranteed pension level of Pensions SEK 9,781 before tax for a single pensioner and SEK 8,855 a month for a married pensioner. This change, along with the housing supplement, will cost the state an estimated SEK 3.9bn in 2022 and SEK 10.5bn in 2023. 1422 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On March 14, 2022, Sweden announced a $1.45 billion (€1.32 billion, or 14 billion kronor) in fuel and power subsidies to help Swedes cope with soaring prices resulting from the Ukraine conflict. As part of it, the GDP indexing of diesel and petrol will be suspended. The annual indexation of diesel and petrol tax rates was suspended in 2021 and 2022. It is proposed that this also apply in 2023. The Government will circulate a proposal for consultation with the goal that it enters into Tax force on 1 January 2023. The cost of this measure is estimated at SEK Indirect tax 900 million for 2023. 1423 On March 14, 2022, Sweden announced a $1.45 billion (€1.32 billion, or 14 billion kronor) in fuel and power subsidies to help Swedes cope with soaring prices resulting from the Ukraine conflict. As part of it, tax on diesel and petrol will be temporarily reduced to the lowest level permitted under EU regulations from 1 June to 31 October, 2022. The price of petrol and diesel at the pump will be just over SEK 1.30 lower per liter in addition to the tax reduction of SEK 0.50 that will be 447 introduced in May. The total cost of this measure is estimated at SEK 3.7 billion. 1424 448 Syria Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Mar 6, 2022, the Syrian government banned the export of several foodstuffs (including of garlic, onions, potatoes, butter, oils, eggs, Trade Export/import restriction among other products) for a duration of 2 months as part of a package of measures aimed at mitigating the impact resulting from the conflict 449 in Ukraine on the country's economy and the availability of basic commodities. 1425 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 450 Taiwan, China Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On March 31, 2022, Taiwan's Cabinet on Thursday approved a NT$30 billion (US$1.05 billion) expanded housing rent subsidy program for the 2022 fiscal year which will increase the availability and amount of rent subsidies and is expected to benefit 500,000 applicants. 1426 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Trade Export/import restriction 451 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 452 Tajikistan Fuel subsidies Food subsidies During March 14-16, 2022, in order to stabilize prices, the Tajikistan's Agency for State Material Reserves has established mobile sales outlets in the market and has been selling a fixed amount of staple Subsidies food to the public at relatively low prices. This was observed in Dushanbe, Khujand, Bokhtar, Rasht, Khorog, Kulob and Kushoniyon. 1427 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On 21 Oct 2022, Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting Government of Tajikistan in mitigating the adverse economic and social impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. ADB’s Building Resilience with Active Countercyclical Expenditures (BRACE) Program will help finance the government’s anti-crisis action plan, Unconditional cash transfers which aims to expand social assistance for poor and vulnerable people, support domestic food production, safeguard small businesses, and support employment for returning migrants. As part of this, 250,000 poor and vulnerable households will benefit from one-time cash transfers of 600 Somoni ($59) per household. This project is expected to cost USD 80 million. 1428 Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions On 21 Oct 2022, Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting Government of Tajikistan in mitigating the adverse economic and social impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. ADB’s Building Resilience with Active Countercyclical Expenditures (BRACE) Program will help finance the government’s anti-crisis action plan, Unconditional in-kind transfers which aims to expand social assistance for poor and vulnerable people, (food, vouchers, others) support domestic food production, safeguard small businesses, and support employment for returning migrants. Food security measures supported by the program will help small-scale farmers increase production. The government will also procure and stockpile food to ensure adequate supply of agricultural and food products. Food security measures include supply-side activities to boost domestic 453 production and the distribution of staple foods, including government imports and stockpiles of agricultural produce (potato, wheat, and oil crops). Climate adaptive agricultural inputs, including seeds and fertilizer, will be provided in kind to poor and vulnerable farmers in September–October 2022 so they can grow agricultural crops in the next season. This is expected to cost USD 70 million. 1429 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver On 21 Oct 2022, Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting Government of Tajikistan in mitigating the adverse economic and social impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. ADB’s Building Resilience with Active Countercyclical Expenditures (BRACE) Training (vocational, life skills, Program will help finance the government’s anti-crisis action plan, others) which aims to expand social assistance for poor and vulnerable people, support domestic food production, safeguard small businesses, and Labor Market support employment for returning migrants. To support business and employment, returning migrants will obtain vocational training for reskilling. 1430 Labor market regulations Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 454 455 Tanzania Fuel subsidies On June 1, 2022, Tanzania announced a TSh100 billion fuel subsidy, seeking to reduce fuel prices in the country with effect from 1 June 2022. 1431, 1432 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On August 9, 2022, Tanzania launched a fertilizer subsidy program for fiscal year 2022-23 which will cost TSh 150 billion. Under the subsidy Subsidies arrangement, the government will pay for a Sh52,000 subsidy. A bag of DAP that was sold for Sh131,675 will now cost Sh70,000 only, while that of Urea, which used to fetch Sh124,714, will cost Sh70,000 only. A bag of CAN, which used to fetch Sh108,156 will now sell at Sh60,000 while that of NPKs, which cost Sh122,695 will now cost Sh70,000. 1433, 1434 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 456 Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On February 28, 2022, the government through the ministry of energy announced the abolition of the Sh100 levy per liter of petrol, diesel and kerosene for three months from March. It is expected to Cost Sh Tax 30 bn per month. The program seems to have ended. 1435, 1436 Indirect tax On June 14, 2022, Tanzania announced budget for 2022-23. As part of it, Reduced VAT to Zero for locally manufactured double refined edible oil for one year and for locally manufactured fertilizers for one year at ex-factory sales by manufacturers. 1437 457 Thailand Fuel subsidies On March 10, 2022, Energy Ministry's reported to the cabinet, the state Oil Fund paid an average of 7.25-7.6 billion baht per month in subsidies to maintain the retail price of diesel at 30 baht per liter from January to February, which is considered relatively high. 1438, 1439 On June 21, 2022, The Thailand cabinet introduced a new round of measures to cut people’s cost of living. They include a 50% subsidy on the diesel price that is higher than 35 baht per liter for three months from July to September. Update: The tax cut on diesel by 5 baht (US$0.1379) per litre will be extended for two months to Nov 20, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri told a briefing. 1440, 1441 Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Subsidies Fees subsidies On March 10, 2022, Thailand has announced subsidies are provided to passenger cars per EV unit depending on its battery capacity for completely knocked-down (CKD) and CBU units. Passenger cars with 10 to 30 kWh batter capacity will receive a 70,000-baht (US$2,111) and passenger cars with over 30 kWh batter capacity will receive a 150,000-baht (US$4,523) subsidy. Similarly, an 18,000-baht subsidy will be provided for electric motorcycles from eligible car producers between 2022-2023. 1442 On September 13, 2022, Thailand's cabinet agreed to extend energy subsidies to help mitigate the impact of high energy prices and living costs with inflation hitting a 14-year high, the government said. The power subsidy worth 9.1 billion baht will be offered until the end of 2022, he said, adding a 300 million baht cooking gas subsidy would be offered between October and December. 1443 On July 26, 2022, Thailand's cabinet approved additional support measures worth 27.4 billion baht ($748.23 million) to ease cost of living pressures and sustain consumption, amid rising inflation. The Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers measures to run during September-October include 21.2 billion baht for 26.5 million people, or 800 baht each, under an existing scheme aimed at supporting consumer purchasing power. 1444 458 On July 26, 2022, Thailand's cabinet approved additional support measures worth 27.4 billion baht ($748.23 million) to ease cost of living pressures and sustain consumption, amid rising inflation. The government will separately offer 400 baht to each of 13.34 million low-income earners with state welfare cards, totaling 5.3 billion baht. 1445 On July 26, 2022, Thailand's cabinet approved additional support measures worth 27.4 billion baht ($748.23 million) to ease cost of living pressures and sustain consumption, amid rising inflation. 892 million baht will be for 2.23 million people with special needs. 1446 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies On Sep 13, 2022, Thailand's cabinet agreed a minimum wage increase, to help mitigate the impact of high energy prices and living costs with Wage increase inflation hitting a 14-year high, the government said. The wage hike, by 5 per cent on average, was the first in more than two years. 1447 Trade Export/import restriction 459 Export/import easing Direct tax On March 10, 2022, Thailand released new government incentives for its electric vehicles (EV) industry as part of its ambitious plan to transform 50 percent of its total auto production to EVs by 2030 and become a production base for cleaner vehicles in Southeast Asia. The new incentive package includes a significant exemption in import duty Tax and excise tax for a wide range of EV models, not to mention previous Indirect tax subsidies announced in February. The latest incentive package announced includes: A 40 percent reduction in import duty for completely built-up (CBU) of battery EVs priced up to 2 million baht ($61,805) and a 20 percent reduction for those priced between 2 million ($61,805) and 7 million baht (US$211,278) from 2022 to 2023; and Excise tax cut from 8 percent to 2 percent for imported EVs, which is predicted to add 7,000 EVs in the first year. 1448, 1449 460 Togo Fuel subsidies On March 29, 2022, Togo has limited the price per liter of fuel (super unleaded) to 595 F. 1450 On September 16, Togo announced an increase in fuel subsidies from 30 bn XOF to 37.8 bn XOF. 1451 On September 16, Togo announced an increase in natural gas subsidies from 7.7 bn XOF to 9.3bn XOF. 1452 Food subsidies On March 29, 2022, Togo has announced that the prices of maize, sorghum, beans, millet and rice are capped. 1453 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On 8 July 2022, it was reported that Togo provided 82,000 ton of fertilizer to farmers across the country, as part of 2022-23 agricultural campaign. This is about 7% more than the 76,000 tons initially announced. It includes 43,000 tons of NPK and 39,000 ton of urea. Subsidies This season, the government has spent over CFA17 billion on fertilizer subsidies to help farmers. The subsidized 50 kg bag is sold at 18,000 CFA francs. Without subsidy, it would normally go for 31,000 CFA francs. 1454, 1455, 1456 On September 16, Togo announced an increase to fertilizer subsidies (from 6 bn XOF to 7.5bn XOF) 1457 Fees subsidies On April 27, 2022, Togo has decided to lower interest rates for FNFI (National Fund for Inclusive Finance) services by two points, particularly in the most vulnerable areas. 1458 On September 16, Togo announced subsidies for schooling materials to parents with children. They will also receive 2.5 billion CFA francs of subsidies to get writing and reading manuals for primary school students. 1459 Unconditional cash transfers Social Assistance On September 16, Togo announced an exceptional transportation allocation of 10,000 XOF to civil servants for a total cost of 8.8 bn Conditional cash transfers XOF. 1460 461 On September 16, Togo announced cash transfers to parents of school children to support the purchase of schooling materials for a total of 3 bn XOF. 1461 Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance On September 16, Togo announced a 10% increase in the index value of pensions for public sector pensioners (including military) as well an Social Insurance Pensions additional increase of 5% for public (incl. military) and private sector pensioners. 1462 Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies On September 16, Togo announced a 10% increase in the index value Wage increase of salaries of civil servants, military personnel and public sector retirees. This is expected to cost 22.5 billion FCFA. 1463 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On March 29, 2022, Togo has announced the exemption from Value Tax Added Tax (VAT) on wheat flour sold at the factory. 1464 Indirect tax On March 29, 2022, Togo has announced that imported products (oil, milk, wheat flour, etc.) are also capped and will be exempt from VAT. 1465 462 On May 1, 2022, Togo has suspended the payment of market ticket taxes on all markets for a period of 3 months. 1466 463 Tunisia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies [August 2022] Steg (Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas) recently decided on increases in electricity and gas tariffs at rates ranging from 12.2 to 16% for households and 15% for industrial. The increase came into effect when calculating the amortization of the two Subsidies bills for estimation and consumption from May 2022. Despite the increase in bills, the state subsidizes electricity up to 20%, knowing that the amount of uncollected debts by the Steg amounted to 2400 million dinars on a turnover of about 5500 million dinars. The fees collected by the Steg are a contribution to local communities, at a rate of 5 millimes per kilowatt hour, a contribution paid to the benefit of radio and television and in the form of a fee to the Energy Transition Fund (electricity and gas). 1467 Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 464 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On 11 April 2022, Tunisia banned the export of fresh fruits and Export/import restriction Trade vegetables to all countries including its largest importer Libya. 1468 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 465 Turkey Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On June 8, 2022, it was reported that Turkey will limit rent increases to a maximum of 25% for a year from July 2022 until July 2023, as the country battles an annual inflation rate of over 70% and informal rent hikes of 100% in some cities. 1469 Subsidies October 17, 2022, as part of the budget for 2023, the Turkish government is subsidizing 80% of natural gas and 50% of electricity used by households and such energy subsidies on the 2023 budget is seen at 600 billion liras ($32 billion). In Jan 2022, Turkey announced to spend TRY100bn (€6.5bn) on energy bills for its citizens in 2022, providing 50% support for natural gas and 25% support for electricity. Therefore, in the next year the subsidy is vertical 1470ly increased. Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 466 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Wage subsidies To tackle with the inflation, Turkey has increased it minimum wages Labor Market by 30% effective from 01 July 2022. The per month net minimum wage has increased from TRY 4,253.40 to TRY5,500.35. The per Wage increase month gross minimum wage has increased from TRY 5,004.00 to TRY7,603.43. This measure is expected to end on December 31, 2022. The increase follows a 50% hike as of January, which had lifted the minimum wage to TL 4,250. 1471, 1472 On March 15, 2022, it was reported that in the last couple weeks, Turkey has imposed temporary export bans on select agricultural products to stabilize local market conditions and keep prices from running higher. The Ministry of Trade recently halted shipments of grains, oilseeds, cooking oil, and a few other agricultural commodities – sourced from third countries – that are currently being held in bonded warehouses at Turkish seaports. On July 7th, Turkey also removed the ban on olive oil exports. By Aug 27, 2022, the ban on these oil products have been lifted. 1473, 1474 Export/import restriction On March 15, 2022, it was reported that Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture & Forest (MinAF) stopped direct exports of cooking oil, bulk olive oil shipments, margarine, red lentils, and dry beans from Trade Turkey. MinAF may also block exports of other agricultural goods at any time. 1475 On 21 March 2022, Turkey imposed a quota restriction on export of cattle, sheep and goat meat to all countries except for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, following a recent price hike of nearly 50 percent. 1476, 1477 In February, Turkey implemented export restriction on more than a dozen agricultural products, including vegetable oils, meat, pulses, and Export/import easing some dairy products. On June 26,2022 Turkey removed the ban on butter exports was replaced with a monthly quota, and on July 7th, Turkey also removed the ban on olive oil exports. 1478 467 Direct tax On 12 Feb 2022, Turkey, under its VAT System Simplification Program, reduced the VAT on basic food products from 8% to 1%. The decision, published in the Official Gazette, went into effect on February 14, 2022. The cut includes staples such as flour, rice, pasta, meat, fish, tea, coffee, water, milk and dairy products, cheese, eggs, oils, sugar, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. 1479 On February 12, 2022, Turkey reduced the tax (VAT) on electricity used for residential and agricultural irrigation purposes from 18% to Tax 8%. 1480 Indirect tax On 28 March 2022, the VAT rate in turkey will be lowered to 1 percent on all kinds of certified seed and saplings. 1481 On 28 March 2022, Turkey reduced taxes on several items, including hygiene products and medical equipment, to counter inflation in the country. It reduced the VAT on products such as detergent, soap, toilet paper, napkins and baby diapers from 18% to 8%. 1482 On 28 March 2022, Turkey reduced the VAT charged on catering services, including in restaurants and hotels, from 18 to 8 percent. 1483 On 28 March 2022, the VAT in Turkey has been set at 8 percent in the sales of houses that are smaller than 150 square meters in size. 1484 468 Turkmenistan Fuel subsidies Food subsidies On March 04, 2022, Turkmenistan announced to keep prices of consumer goods and food products under control in the market and Subsidies stores. 1485 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing 469 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 470 Turks and Caicos Islands Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On July 14th, the government announced a one-off direct cash transfer Unconditional cash transfers of USD $1000 for residents. This is expected to cost $12 million. 1486 Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing 471 Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 472 Uganda Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On 24 Sept, 2022, a new fertilizer subsidy program was announced which will cover 33,082 farmers for a duration of five-month, which is aimed at making fertiliser accessible at an affordable rate. The African Fertiliser and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), an initiative that Subsidies focuses on market-driven business solutions in fertiliser and agribusiness for agriculture productivity, partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rabobank Yara, the Export Trading Group and Syngenta with the support of the International Fertiliser Association (IFA) to subsidise fertiliser up to 30 percent of the market price. 1487 Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, Labor Market others) Labor market regulations 473 Wage subsidies Wage increase Uganda is imposing high taxes to prevent food exports such as maize, Export/import restriction Trade soybeans, rice, and wheat to neighboring countries. 1488 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 474 United Arab Emirates Fuel subsidies On 4 July 2022, UAE announced a Dh28 billion ($7.6bn) relief package to ease rising inflation. The Emirati families whose household income is up to Dh25,000 per month ($6,800) are eligible for a series of measures, including fuel subsidy. Eligible Emiratis will receive an 85 per cent discount on the cost of petrol above Dh2.10 per liter — the current price is Dh4.6. The allowance is renewed every month to up to 400 liters for the father and if both couples have a car, then 500 liters. Beneficiaries will be contacted directly by the ministry, and they will be immediately linked to their Emirates ID, so they can immediately go to any gas station to receive this month's allowance. 1489 Food subsidies On 4 July 2022, UAE announced a Dh28 billion ($7.6bn) relief package to ease rising inflation. The Emirati families whose household income is up to Dh25,000 per month ($6,800) are eligible for a series of measures, including food subsidy. It plans to cover 75 percent of inflation on food items. 1490 Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On 4 July 2022, UAE announced a Dh28 billion ($7.6bn) relief Subsidies package to ease rising inflation. The Emirati families whose household income is up to Dh25,000 per month ($6,800) are eligible for a series of measures, including electricity and water subsidy. Eligible Emiratis will be granted a 50 per cent subsidy for electricity consumption of less than 4,000 kilowatts, and a 50 per cent monthly water subsidy for water consumption below 26,000 gallons. 1491, 1492 On 4 July 2022, UAE announced a Dh28 billion ($7.6bn) relief package to ease rising inflation. The Emirati families whose household income is up to Dh25,000 per month ($6,800) are eligible for a series of measures, including Education subsidy. Among the new allocations included in the social support program for the family is the “University Education Allowance” for outstanding students. This is designed to encourage children to enroll in university education, with the value of the allowance at Dh3,200 per month. 1493, 1494 On 4 July 2022, UAE announced a Dh28 billion ($7.6bn) relief package to ease rising inflation. The Emirati families whose household 475 income is up to Dh25,000 per month ($6,800) are eligible for a series of measures, including housing allowance. The program includes a provision for housing, ranging between Dh1,500 dirhams and Dh2,500 per month, to pay for private accommodation until a family obtains government housing. Applicants who live with parents or any other family are entitled to 60 per cent of these amounts. The support does not apply to those who have any other form of government housing benefit, or who own a house registered in their name. The benefit stops when the applicant secures government housing. 1495, 1496 On 4 July 2022, UAE announced a Dh28 billion ($7.6bn) relief package to ease rising inflation. More than 47,300 Emirati families whose household income is up to Dh25,000 per month ($6,800) are eligible for a series of measures, including family allowance. The father of the family will now receive an allowance starting at Dh5,000 per month. This amount will increase at a rate of Dh2,000 per month for every 10 years of work experience, to a maximum of Dh13,000 per Unconditional cash transfers month. This allowance is granted from the age of 30 and above, with the calculation of work years beginning from the age of 21. The wife’s allowance will be lifted to Dh3,500 per month. Allowances for children will rise to Dh2,400 a month for the first child, Dh1,600 a Social Assistance month for the second and third child, and Dh800 for every subsequent child – up to the age of 21. This allowance applies to all citizens, those in work, the unemployed and those seeking work. 1497, 1498 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions On 4 July 2022, UAE announced a Dh28 billion ($7.6bn) relief Unemployment benefits package to ease rising inflation. The Emirati families whose household income is up to Dh25,000 per month ($6,800) are eligible for a series 476 of measures, including Job seeker allowance. This allowance extends for a period of six months, and amounts to Dh5,000 dirhams per month for each beneficiary, regardless of age. The allowance offers financial assistance while looking for employment. 1499, 1500 Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 477 United Kingdom Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies [March 2022] Farmers will be further supported through new slurry storage grants as of this year, helping meet the Farming Rules for Water and reducing dependence on artificial fertilizers. 1501 Fees subsidies On February 3, 2022, United Kingdom is providing a package of support worth £11.7 billion from 2022 to 2023 which includes the Energy Bills Support Scheme. Through the scheme, domestic electricity customers in Great Britain will receive a £400 reduction in their electricity costs starting from this October. The costs of the reduction will be spread as widely as possible, so that no one pays more than £40 per year through the levy. Therefore, all domestic electricity consumers will pay a charge in future years. It is a grant now with a levy on future Subsidies billpayers. This scheme will help over 29 million households. 1502, 1503, 1504 On March 23, 2022, in the UK, as part of the Warm Home Discount scheme, 2.2 million low-income households receive a £140 rebate on their energy bills. From 2022, proposed changes will see the scheme be worth £475 million a year with nearly 3 million households receiving a £150 rebate. 1505, 1506 On July 6, 2022, the UK enabled that extension of the energy price cap to protect families. The energy price cap is the best safety net for 22 million households and the bill will enable the extension of the price cap beyond 2023. Regulator Ofgem will announce a new price cap level in the last week of August. [Update] On 17 October 2022, the Treasury made a U-turn on the energy price freeze and changed the time-span of 478 its applicability to the winter of 2022/2023 – until April 2023 only (against the previously announced 2- year period). The energy price freeze stays at £2,500 for the average household. The Government estimates that it will cost around £31 billion over sixth months. 1507, 1508, 1509, 1510 [October 2022] Maintenance loan amounts will be increased by 2.3% in the academic year 2022/23. 1511 [November 2022] The National Grid is starting a trial scheme, running between November 2022 and March 2023, to encourage people to use less electricity at peak times. People who avoid using high-energy appliances such as washing machines in the late afternoon or early evening could get discounts of up to £100 on their energy bills. 1512 [March 2022] Reducing the Universal Credit taper rate from 63% to 55% and increasing Universal Credit work allowances by £500 a year to make work pay. 1513 April 1, 2022, Uk, Winter Fuel Payment: an allowance between £100 and £300 to help households pay their heating bills. Individuals will get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they are eligible and either: get the State Pension; get another social Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit). Most payments are made automatically in November or December. Individuals should have been paid for winter 2021 to 2022. The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023 depends on individual circumstances and ranges between £250 and £600. This amount is inclusive of the "pensioner cost of living payment". 1514, 1515, 1516 479 [May 2022] The government will target financial support to the poorest households. The government will send directly to about 8 million households a one- off “cost of living payment” of £650, direct to people’s bank accounts. The amount will be paid in 2 lump sums of £326 and £324. The support is worth more than £5 billion. 1517, 1518 [May 2022] The repayment of the £200 repayable loan, due in October, will be turned into a grant. The payment will be doubled to £400 for everyone. The funding is worth £6bn. 1519 [May 2022] 8 million pensioner households will receive a one-off “pensioner cost of living payment” of £300. 1520 [May 2022] 6 million non-means-tested disability benefit recipients will receive a £150 payment.1521, 1522 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions [March 2022] To help households with the cost of essentials such as food, clothing and utilities, the government is providing an additional £500 million for the Household Support Fund from April, on top of the £500 million already provided since October 2021, bringing total funding to £1 billion. Local Authorities Unconditional in-kind will determine how to best use the remainder of the transfers (food, vouchers, fund within the scope set out by ministers. Previous others) funding has supported households with food, clothing, energy and water costs, and this extension will ensure that this support continues through to the autumn. The extension will run for six months to the end of September 2022. [July 2022] Latest data reveals that 8.9 million grants have been given to families in first round of Household Support Fund. 1523, 1524, 1525 480 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance [November 2022] Britain is expected to increase state Pensions pension and welfare payments in line with inflation in the next November's budget. 1526 Unemployment benefits [23 March 2022] Increase in the annual National Insurance Primary Threshold and the Lower Profits Limit from £9,880 to £12,570 from July 2022, to align with the income tax personal allowance. This is a tax cut of over £6 billion and worth over £330 for a typical employee in the year from July. 1527 [23 March 2022] Around 70% of National Insurance contributions (NICs) payers will pay less NICs, even accounting for the introduction of the Health and Social Insurance Social Care Levy. This change will take 2.2 million people out of paying Class 1 and Class 4 NICs and the Health and Social Care Levy altogether. Earners on Social security contributions less than £25,000 now pay less in income tax and waiver National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Those earning above £25,000 will pay more. Taken together, the changes will raise the Treasury around £14 billion in 2022/23, with higher income households paying the most. 1528 [23 March 2022] From April 2022 self-employed individuals with profits between the Small Profits Threshold and Lower Profits Limit will continue to build up National Insurance credits but will not pay any Class 2 NICs. Taken together, these measures will meet the government’s ambition to ensure that the first £12,500 earned is tax free. 1529, 1530 481 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Increasing the National Living Wage (NLW) for Wage increase workers aged 23 and over by 6.6% to £9.50 an hour from April 2022. 1531 Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing On February 3, 2022, United Kingdom, as part of its targeted response to rising energy bills, has introduced a £150 council tax rebate starting April 1, 2022. This will mean that council tax costs will not rise for the majority of people, including those on the lowest Direct tax incomes. 1532, 1533 On March 23, 2022, the UK announced that it will reduce the basic rate of income tax to 19% from April 2024. This is a tax cut of over £5 billion a year. [October 2022] The basic rate of income tax will remain at 20%. 1534, 1535 On 23 March 2022, the UK will reverse a Court of Tax Justice of the European Union ruling that restricted the application of VAT relief on the installation of energy saving materials (ESMs). This will mean wind and water turbines will be added to the list of ESMs and the complex eligibility conditions will be removed. The government will also increase the relief Indirect tax further by introducing a time-limited zero rate for the installation of ESMs. The changes will take effect from April 2022. 1536 On March 23, 2022, the UK will cut the duty on petrol and diesel by £0.05 per liter for 12 months. This will take effect from 6pm on 23 March on a UK-wide basis. This cut represents savings for households and businesses worth around £2.4 billion in 2022-23. 482 Where practical, a proportionate cut will also apply to fuel duty rates which are lower than the main rates for petrol and diesel, including red diesel. 1537 483 United States Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On October 18th, 2022, the US Department of Agriculture announced that it had it canceled $800 million of farmers’ debts as part of the recent Inflation Reduction Act. This agriculture subsidy in the form of debt relief has covered 13,100 farmers with an average debt cancelation of $61,000. This was targeted to farmers who were 60 or more days late on their loan. An additional $200 million was canceled Subsidies for some 2,100 farmers who had been foreclosed on and still had remaining debt. There is an expected additional $500 million more debt relief for some 23,000 more borrowers in the near future. 1538 Fees subsidies On November 5th, the government of New Hampshire announced that it was receiving federal funds for two programs. One of which is a fuel assistance program aimed at reducing the cost of home heating for this upcoming winter, although funds likely won’t be distributed until Spring of 2023. So far, 22,000 households have applied for this assistance. This program has a budget of $40 million. 1539 On March 26th, California announced that it will be handing out debit cards with USD $400 to California drivers. This measure is a USD $9 billion proposal. 1540 On March 26th, Maine proposed an USD $850 check to qualified taxpayers in Maine. These relief checks are expected to reach 858,000 Mainers and cost a total of US $729.3 million. Those eligible are those who as a full-year Maine resident file a 2021 Maine income tax return Social Assistance Unconditional cash transfers by October 31st, 2022, and have an individual salary under US $100,000, US $150,000 if filing as head of household, and under US $200,000 if couples filing jointly. These relief checks are set to be sent out starting in June of 2022. 1541, 1542 On October 7th, California began a cash transfer program for inflation relief named the Middle Class Tax Refund. It is a one-off direct deposit for families making less than $150,000 a year. The transfer amount can be up to $1,050 and is expected to reach up to 23 million 484 individuals (roughly 60% of the state’s population). It is expected to cost $9.5 billion or 0.3% of the state’s GDP. 1543 On July 26th, 2022, Florida announced a new one-off direct cash transfer of USD $450 per child for an expected 60,000 families in Florida. This direct cash transfer is being given to families within the Florida Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in order to help deal with rising prices. The TANF program received a USD $1 billion federal fund as a part of the Covid-19 related American Rescue Plan Act. This direct cash transfer is expected to cost USD $35.5 million out of the state of Florida’s budget. 1544, 1545 On August 18th, 2022, and as part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, the government of Washington, D.C. announced a one-off payment of USD $1,000. This direct cash transfer is called the Back-to-School Payment and will go to DC resident families who are within the TANF program. The government of Washington, D.C. received $15 million in federal funds as part of the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund within the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 aimed at helping families with the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. This cash transfer comes from those funds, however, this cash transfer is aimed at helping families with the rising prices, specifically for the added expenses around back-to- school. This cash transfer is expected to reach around 15,000 families. 1546 On September 20th, the New Mexico state government announced that starting on September 26th it would accept applications for economic relief assistance in the form of a one-off cash transfer for eligible low income households. The minimum transfer is of $400 per household, the total amount depends on income level and other factors. A total of $10 million is available for this measure. 1547, 1548 Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) 485 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing On February 4th, 2022, the Idaho state government passed a new bill that in part provides a direct cash transfer in the form of a tax rebate for taxpayers and their dependents. The transfer amount is USD $75 per person. 1549 On March 26, 2022, USA's Georgia announced a program to give tax refunds to Georgians who filed taxes in 2020 and 2021. The amounts will be up to USD $250 for single filers, USD $375 for single filers who are heads of households, and up to USD $500 for married couples Tax Direct tax filing jointly. This refund is part of a USD $1.1 billion package. 1550 In March of 2022, New Mexico announced a one-off direct cash transfer in the form of a tax rebate to help residents with the rising costs of living and gas prices. Single or married filers will receive $500 if they make less than $150,000 a year, an additional $250 will be given to those making less than $75,000 (for a total of $750). This cash transfer was implemented in July. So far 800,000 people have received a transfer as of the beginning of August. 1551, 1552, 1553 486 In March of 2022, New Mexico announced a second round of cash transfers, this time executed in two separate payments. These are also in the form of a tax rebate and were disbursed in June for the first transfer and then in August for the second transfer. These transfers have no income restrictions and so all residents who have filed their taxes are eligible. The transfer is of $1,000 to married couples filing jointly, with $500 being given in June and $500 being given in August. For single filers it is $500 total with $250 in June and $250 in August. So far 800,000 people have received a transfer as of the beginning of August. 1554, 1555 On April 9th, 2022, the state of Illinois approved a large $46.5billion package to help ease the burden of inflation on residents of the state. Within this package there is a direct one-off cash transfer in the form of property tax rebates. This transfer size will be up to $300 as long as the adjusted gross income for the taxable year does not exceed $500,000 for joint filers of 2021 Illinois state taxes and $250,000 for all other returns. This is expected to reach 6.2 million residents under the Illinois Family Relief Plan and started rolling out September 12th. It is expected to take 8 weeks for the checks to be distributed. The total package (named the Illinois Family Relief Plan) for the sales tax, fuel tax, and property tax relief is $1.83 billion. 1556, 1557, 1558 On April 9th, 2022, the state of Illinois approved a large $46.5billion package to help ease the burden of inflation on residents of the state. Within this package there is a direct one-off cash transfer in the form of an income tax rebate expected to reach all 6.2 million residents within the Illinois Family Relief Plan. The transfer amount is $50 for single filers who made under $200,000 in 2021 and $100 for joint filers who made under $400,000 in 2021. Additionally, $100 for each dependent for a maximum of 3 dependents. 1559, 1560 On April 14th, 2022, Delaware introduced House Bill 360 which created the Delaware Relief Rebate Program. This is a one-off direct cash transfer of USD $300 per resident taxpayer for 2020 or 2021 or were 18 and older as of December, 2021. Joint filers will receive USD $600. The initial distribution saw over 780,000 beneficiaries as of the Summer of 2022. 1561, 1562 487 On May 23rd, 2022, Colorado announced a new law to give residents a one-off cash transfer in the form of a tax rebate. This law indicates that if the state runs a surplus for the fiscal year, a certain amount must be given back to the residents through direct payment. This law was introduced in part to help residents deal with higher prices. To be eligible, residents will have to have filed their 2021 state taxes by October 17th, 2022 or applied for a Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit (PTC) Rebate. Single filers will receive USD $750 and joint filers will receive USD $1,500. 1563, 1564 On September 1st, 2022, the Idaho state government passed a new bill to decide what to do with the state’s $2 billion surplus. One component of the bill is a direct cash transfer in the form of a state tax rebate of USD $300 per individual and $600 for joint filers of 2020 taxes. This is to help residents deal with rising prices. The expected expenditure is USD $500 million. 1565, 1566 On September 6th, 2022, Hawaii announced a one-off direct cash transfer in the form of a state tax refund. The amount will depend on the income level, marriage status (joint filing), and the number of exemptions residents are allowed to claim. The amount will either be USD $100 per person (including dependents) or USD $300 per person. This cash transfer is expected to reach about 600,000 taxpayers and is expected to total $294 million. As of October 24th, 329,833 direct deposits and paper checks have been delivered with a total of $182,340,900 having been dispersed. 1567, 1568 On September 15th, 2022, the Virginia state government announced a new one-off direct cash transfer in the form of a tax rebate in order to help families lower the cost of living. The benefit size is $250 for single filers and $500 for joint filers of 2021 state taxes. 1569 On March 26, 2022, USA's Connecticut state announced the suspension of the gas tax from April 1 to June 30, 2022. This is expected to cost USD$ 90 million in lost revenue. It is set to last from Indirect tax April 1st to November 30th, 2022. 1570, 1571 On March 26, 2022, USA's Maryland state announced a 30-day suspension of the gas tax with the option to extend 90 days. Estimated to cost USD $100 million a month. 1572 488 On March 26, 2022, USA's Florida state announced USD $1 billion in temporary gas tax relief for residents. State lawmakers also approved a one-month hiatus of the gas tax. This tax holiday will be in effect for the month of October. 1573, 1574, 1575 On March 26, 2022, USA's Georgia state announced the suspension of the gas tax which was signed on March 18. [Extension] On September 1st, Georgia extended the gas tax suspension. It is set to last until October 12th. 1576, 1577 On April 9th, 2022, the state of Illinois approved a large $46.5billion package to help ease the burden of inflation on residents of the state. Within this package there was a suspension of the 1% sales tax on groceries for the entirety of the fiscal year, starting July 1st, 2022 up until July 1, 2023. This estimated to save taxpayers $400 million. The total package (named the Illinois Family Relief Plan) for the sales tax, fuel tax, and property tax relief is $1.83 billion. 1578, 1579 On April 9th, 2022, the state of Illinois approved a large $46.5billion package to help ease the burden of inflation on residents of the state. Within this package there was a freezing of the fuel tax at $0.39 a gallon starting July 1st, 2022 and lasting through January 1, 2023. The fuel tax was expected to go up in July as part of a regular inflation adjustment mechanism, however, this new measure puts a temporary freeze on the automatic adjustment. This is expected to save taxpayers $70 million. The total package (named the Illinois Family Relief Plan) for the sales tax, fuel tax, and property tax relief is $1.83 billion. 1580, 1581 In April of 2022, the New York state government announced that it will suspend the state sales tax on motor fuels, the separate motor fuel tax, and the metropolitan commuter transportation district sales tax imposed on motor fuels. This measure was set to last from June through December and provide an estimated $585 million in relief. Some of these tax reliefs were part of an eight year slow easing that began in 2018, this new measure makes the ultimate effect take place this year instead of in 2026. It is estimated to reach 6.1 million residents. 1582 489 490 Uruguay Fuel subsidies Starting April 1, Uruguay put a price control on gasoline. [Update] On April 30th, the subsidy is still in place but due to the rising prices of fuel, the subsidy amount has increased. The price paid by consumers has also gone up but not as much as it would have been without the subsidy. 1583, 1584 Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies On May 17, 2022, Uruguay reported that the government was implementing various new measures to ease the burden of rising prices on the most vulnerable. One of these measures was a price freeze on propane tank gas as well as a 50% discount on all refills for beneficiaries of programs within the Ministry of Social Development. 1585 On May 17th, it was reported that the government was implementing various new measures to ease the burden of rising prices on the most vulnerable. One of these measures was a 4% increase in the amount Unconditional cash transfers contributed for two cash transfer programs: “Asignaciones Familiares- Plan de Equidad” and “Tarjeta Social Uruguay”. This increase went into effect in July and is expected to reach 800,000 beneficiaries. 1586 Social Assistance Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver 491 Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax Starting from May 1, 2022, Uruguay announced discount on the IMESI tax (excise duty) will be increased up to 30% for gas stations near the border with Argentina. 1587 On May 17, 2022, it was reported that Uruguay was implementing various new measures to ease the burden of rising prices on the most vulnerable. One of these measures was a discount on VAT for certain Tax products for beneficiaries of the “Asignaciones Familiares-Plan de Indirect tax Equidad” program who use the new Tuapp application. 1588 On May 17, 2022, it was reported that Uruguay was implementing various new measures to ease the burden of rising prices on the most vulnerable. One of these measures was a reduction in the customs duties for food products that are heavily affected by the conflict in Ukraine as well as reducing those coming outside of Mercosur and Argentina specifically. 1589 492 Uzbekistan Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies In May 2022, it was reported that to Maintaining public transport tariffs, an additional direct subsidy will be provided to the Tashkent Subsidies city public transport network to maintain existing tariffs and mitigate the burden of rising fuel prices during 2022. This subsidy will benefit nearly 3 million people, including more than 200,000 university students. Two state entities—Tashkent Metro and Joint State Company Toshshahartranshizmat (Tashkent city transport services)— are the recipients of an additional subsidy. It is expected to cost USD 17.4 million. 1590 In May 2022, the government started its multiphase one-time social assistance, which will continue until December 2022. As per the Presidential Resolution No. PQ 2505 about Additional Measures on Targeted Support to the Population Dependent on Social Protection. Each pensioner received SUM400,000 in Tashkent city and SUM300,000 in other regions. The registry includes (i) low-income Unconditional cash transfers families without children or children above 18 years of age (82,708), and (ii) low-income families with children (1.6 million). Low-income families with children up to the age of 18—in total 4.9 million children—received SUM200,000 per child. The initial assistance amounted to $194 million covering 8.9 million people, including Social Assistance pensioners, low-income families, and recipients of child allowances. It is expected to cost $577.8 million. 1591 Conditional cash transfers In May 2022, the government raised monthly pension payments by 12% to support the livelihood of more than 4 million vulnerable persons (pensioners) and costs $63.6 million, about a half of whom are women, amid rising food and energy prices. The Uzbekistan’s Pension Social pensions Fund increased minimum monthly payment from SUM565,000 to SUM633,000 for persons over the age of 65, from SUM623,000 to SUM698,000. There are 3.1 million individuals benefiting from it. 1592 493 In May 2022, the government raised monthly pension payments by 12% to support the livelihood of more than 4 million vulnerable persons (pensioners) and costs $63.6 million, about a half of whom are women, amid rising food and energy prices. The Uzbekistan’s Pension Fund increased Minimum monthly payment for people with disabilities (0.5 million), and persons with disabilities since childhood (0.3 million) from SUM623,000 to SUM698,000. 1593 In May 2022, the government raised monthly pension payments by 12% to support the livelihood of more than 4 million vulnerable persons (pensioners) and costs $63.6 million, about a half of whom are women, amid rising food and energy prices. The Uzbekistan’s Pension Fund increased Minimum monthly payment for 0.3 million survivor benefit recipients. 1594 Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On June 1, 2022, Uzbekistan has temporarily restricted export of vegetable oils and oilseeds, including cottonseed oil and sunflower oil, Trade Export/import restriction sunflower seed and other oilseeds. The government has not specified the date of expiry of the ban. 1595 494 Export/import easing Direct tax In may 2022, it was reported that imports of 22 product categories, including meat, fish, milk products, fruits, and vegetable oil, to Uzbekistan are exempted from customs duties from May 2022 to January 2023. This measure is expected to cost $64.8 million. 1596 Tax On Oct 2021, to maintain consumer prices, the government extended Indirect tax the temporary value-added tax exemption provided during October 2021–April 2022 on the import and sale of vegetable oil, sunflower and flax seeds, soya pits, potatoes, meat and meat products, and livestock until the end of 2022. In addition, production, processing, and the sale of these essential products are exempted from turnover tax until December 2022. This measure would cost $125.8 million. 1597 495 Vietnam Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase On May 6, 2022, Vietnam has proposed a five per cent increase in the export tax rate, in an effort to cool down domestic fertilizer prices. To Trade Export/import restriction lower the domestic fertilizer price and stabilize the supply, the Finance Ministry has submitted to the government to lower export taxes on fertilizers by 5 per cent, without classifying the ratio of natural 496 resources, or minerals. Accordingly, fertilizer with a value less than 51 per cent will be subject to 5 per cent instead of zero per cent currently. Export tax for other kinds of fertilizers remain unchanged. 1598 Export/import easing Direct tax Tax Indirect tax 497 Zambia Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies On Sept 12, 2022, it was reported that to compensate for the 25% loss in maize and output of other crops last season, Zambia has maintained the number of beneficiaries of the Fertilizer Support Programme (FISP) in the 2022-23 season to bolster production. 1.2 million farmers Subsidies are benefiting from the program. This year the benefit size of the transfer has been increased to six bags of fertilizer (from 4 bags last year) and a packet of 10 kg of seed per farmer in the 2023 season. Note, farmers are expected to contribute K400 to be eligible for the subsidy. 1599 Fees subsidies On June 14, 2022, it was reported that World Bank is supporting Zambia by scaling up the Shock Responsive Social Protection Project. The Social Cash Transfer (SCT) will cover cash transfers to almost one million (1,026,000) beneficiaries of the government’s SCT program for the period of one year. This emergency financing will therefore stabilize financing for the SCT, while also including a small buffer of funds to allow for a limited vertical or horizontal expansion of the cash transfer to respond to price shocks or other further shock, Unconditional cash transfers respectively, as required. The program currently covers 974,000 individuals. SCT currently provides a bi-monthly transfer of ZMW 400 (US$24 equivalent, or US$12 monthly) for an average household Social Assistance and double this amount for households with a disabled person. It is noteworthy that this amount is the result of an increase in 2021 to ensure adequacy of transfer value in light of rising inflation. Beneficiaries are selected through categorical as well as poverty targeting to identify people that are poor and also are not able to work for reasons of age, disability, illness, or high dependency ratios. Conditional cash transfers Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) 498 Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade Export/import easing Direct tax On 11 Jan 2022, Zambia announced that it would waive off/ suspend excise duty, import duty and VAT on fuel until the end of June 2022. On 16 June 2022, Zambia extended the suspension of import, excise Tax duty and VAT on fuel for another 3 months -- until the end of 30 Indirect tax September 2022. 1600, 1601, 1602 On Sept 1, 2022, it was reported that Zambia removed 5% customs duty on the importation of cattle and chicken breeding to support agriculture and livestock. 499 Zimbabwe Fuel subsidies Food subsidies Subsidies Fertilizer/agriculture subsidies Fees subsidies Unconditional cash transfers Conditional cash transfers Social Assistance Social pensions Unconditional in-kind transfers (food, vouchers, others) Conditional in-kind transfers (school feeding) Public works Paid sick leave Health insurance Social Insurance Pensions Unemployment benefits Social security contributions waiver Training (vocational, life skills, others) Labor market regulations Labor Market Wage subsidies Wage increase Export/import restriction Trade On 20 May 2022, Zimbabwe to remove the mandatory production of Export/import easing import licenses on categories of the basic commodities: sugar, milk powder, infants milk formula, petroleum jelly, bath soap, laundry bar 500 and washing powder. These products can now be imported by anyone without the need to produce import permits or licenses. 1603 Direct tax On 17 May 2022, Zimbabwe introduced Statutory Instrument 98 of 2022 to wholly suspended Customs duties on importation of basic commodities. It will be effective for the next six months – from 17 Tax May 2022 to 16 November 2022. Its effect on cross-border trade is to Indirect tax totally or wholly suspend payment of duty on cooking oil, margarine, rice, flour, salt, bath soap, laundry soap, washing powder, toothpaste and petroleum jelly during the said period, regardless of their country of origin (CoO) and quantities (bulk and small). 16041605 501 Sources and endnotes 1 See Annexes 1 for regional profiles and Annex 2 for overall classification of measures included in the tracker. 2 Only 7 out of the 47 labor market programs have spending information, while only 18 out of the total 55 social insurance programs have spending information. 3 They also provide subsidies to commercial and industrial users of bi-monthly tariffs. However, their coverage figures are different. Please look into the country annex for more information. 4 This payment will be made in instalments starting from June 2022. 5 The subsidy amount will depend on the household’s income and energy consumption data. 6 Only top 1% of the population are not elgible for any compensation as they have not been categorized as energy vulnerable. 7 Residents of islands will receive more than mainland residents. 8 Only those individuals who made up to EUR 30,000 euros in 2020 are eligible for this benefit. 9 For car owners the benefit was increased to EUR 80 and EUR100 for people from mainland and islands, respectively. Similarly, For motorcycle owners the amount will be EUR60 and EUR70, respectively. 10 Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Cayman Islands, Denmark, Greece, Guatemala, Lithuania, Philippines, São Tomé and Principe, and Saudi Arabia. 11 Some transfer information was available for the social insurance (15 measures) and labor market (2 measures) and tax measures (22 measures) but were not averaged and included in the global estimate due to the small sample. 12 See annex 8 for adequacy calculation methodology 13 For example, consider Turks and Caicos Islands, which on 14 July 2022 announced a one-off direct cash transfer of $1000 (i.e., $16.7 per day; 95% of the daily median income) to every resident and it is expected to cost $12 million (1.3% of its GDP). To give another example, Tajikistan with the help of ADB, is planning to provide a one-time cash transfers of 600 Somoni ($60 or $0.9 per day; 14% of daily median income) to 250,000 poor and vulnerable households (i.e., 1,498,285 individuals; 15.7% of its population). It is expected to cost $80 million (0.9% of its GDP). 14 Eligibility will be based on income and energy contract conditions. 15 In 2021, the government had first introduced financial assistance to parents who stop working in order to take care of an adult child with severe disabilities and provided EUR300 ($354.8). This was further increased to EUR500 ($591.4) in 2022. 16 Beneficiaries are selected based on PMTs. 17 vegetable oil, sunflower and flax seeds, soya pits, potatoes, meat and meat products, and livestock 18 Based on 41 economies. 19 Based on 147 programs. 20 Based on 31 programs. 21 Based on 71 programs 22 Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Benin, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Rep., Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, ance, Gambia, The, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Réunion (France), Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Lucia, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay 23 Data based on 4 measures from Argentina, France, Philippines, Portugal. 24 (38 measures, 31 countries) 25 Based on 6 programs. 26 Based on 16 measures (14 countries: Barbados, Cameroon, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malta, Philippines, Portugal, Réunion (France), South Korea, Spain, Thailand). 27 Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Rep., Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, France, Gambia, The, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kosovo, Liberia, Malaysia, Malta, Nicaragua, Philippines, Portugal, Réunion (France), Romania, South Korea, Spain, St. Lucia, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, United Arab Emirates 28 Kenya, Kosovo, Philippine and Portugal 29 Antigua and Barbuda, France, and Philippines 502 30 Barbados, Benin, Cape Verde, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Madagascar, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Togo,Uruguay 31 Based on 3 economies 32 Based on 10 programs. 33 Based on 1 program. 34 Based on 10 measures. 35 Based on 9 economies 36 Based on 29 programs 37 Based on 1 program. 38 Based on 4 measures in 4 economies. 39 The African Fertiliser and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), an initiative that focuses on market-driven business solutions in fertilizer and agribusiness for agriculture productivity, partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rabobank Yara, the Export Trading Group and Syngenta with the support of the International Fertiliser Association (IFA) to subsidize fertilizer up to 30 percent of the market price. 40 Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Malta, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan. 41 Based on 28 economies. 42 Based on 70 programs. 43 Based on 23 measures. 44 Based on 41 measures. 45 Albania, Argentina, Belgium, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus , Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Morocco, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States. 46 It will continue until end of April. The funding for the scheme had also been increased, from €215 million to €400 million. 47 Transfer is automatically credited in the bill. 48 Albania, Andorra, Comoros, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mozambique, New Zealand, Singapore, and Uzbekistan. 49 Ireland, Italy, Mozambique, New Zealand, Singapore, and Uzbekistan 50 Andorra, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Iceland, Netherlands, Portugal, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates. 51 Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Uruguay. 52 Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Granada, Guinea, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Slovenia, United Kingdom, and Uruguay. 53 France, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey 54 Albania, Andorra, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Poland, and Thailand. 55 Canada, Israel, Netherlands and Sri Lanka. 56 Albania, Andorra, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, and Poland. 57 As per the measure, motorcycles and other two-wheelers can purchase fuel worth up to Rs 1,000 per visit to petrol pumps. Three-wheelers can buy fuel worth Rs 1,500, while cars, jeeps and vans can purchase it up to Rs 5,000. Finally, buses, lorries and commercial vehicles are exempted from the fuel rationing. 58 Based on 73 countries. 59 Based on 153 programs. 60 Based on 184 programs. 61 Based on 155 programs 62 Based on 62 countries. 63 Based on 118 programs. 503 64 Based on 168 measures. 65 Based on 130 measures. 66 The coverage is calculated based on 13 cash transfer programs. 67 Based on 21 countries. 68 Based on 28 programs. 69 Based on 12 measures. 70 Based on 17 measures. 71 Based on 3 countries. 72 Based on 3 programs. 73 Based on 3 measures. 74 Based on 2 measures. 75 Based on 5 countries. 76 Based on 4 programs. 77 Based on 1 measures. 78 Based on 4 measures. 79 Based on 4 countries. 80 Based on 2 measures. 81 Albania, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Fra4ce, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Kosovo, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Sweden, Togo, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. 82 Calculated based on data from 14 economies. 83 Calculated based on 18 measures. 84 Based on 15 programs. 85 Based on 7 programs 86 Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Bahamas, Benin, Canada, Chile, Comoros, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Jamaica, Kosovo, Lithuania, Macao, Malaysia, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania. Serbia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. 87 Calculated based on data from 4 economies. 88 Calculated based on 7 measures. 89 Based on 2 programs. 90 Based on 1 program. 91 Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, The Bahamas, Benin, Canada, Chile, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Lithuania, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Thailand, Togo, Turkey and United Kingdom. 92 Albania, Andorra, Estonia, Italy, Portugal, St Lucia, and Togo. 93 Trade measures (import/export restrictions) are reported in the tracker, even though they are not social protection measures, as they directly affect the availability of essential good, which further impacts the needs of SP measures. 94 Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Namibia, Pakistan, Serbia, South Korea, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Jordan, North Macedonia, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh. 95 Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Hungary, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Namibia, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Serbia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. 96 Belarus, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Turkey, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. 97 In the report, easing is defined as the movement of an economy from a more stringent restriction (e.g., ban) to a relatively less stringent restriction (which also includes complete removal of restriction). 98 Based on 25 programs. 99 Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Namibia, Pakistan, Serbia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Jordan, North Macedonia, and Uganda. 504 100 Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Malaysia. 101 China, Kyrgyz Republic, and Viet Nam 102 Stringency reduces in the order mentioned 103 Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla (UK), Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Congo, Rep., Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kyrgyz Republic, Lithuania, Malawi, Mexico, Montenegro, Malta, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, North Macedonia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Oman, Serbia, Singapore, St. Martin, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 104 Calculated based on 9 measures. 105 Calculated based on 57 measures. 106 Based on 22 programs. 107 Based on 74 programs 108 Albania, Austria, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, United Kingdom, and United States 109 i.e., council tax as they call it 110 Albania, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Malta, and Portugal. 111 Similarly, couples that are in receipt of a pension and opt for a joint tax computation, will continue to enjoy the tax exemption threshold applicable to non-pension income up to €3,600 per year over and above the pension income. 112 Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Malta, Slovakia, United Kingdom, and United States. 113 Tax paid by tenants/residents and not landlords of rented property to local government on domestic property. 114 For those making under $60,000, the transfer size will be $250 and for those making between $60,000 and $96,000 will receive $100. 115 Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece , Netherlands, Portugal, and United Kingdom. . 116 Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla (UK), Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, British, Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Congo, Rep., Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kyrgyz Republic, Lithuania, Malawi, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, North Macedonia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Oman, Serbia, Singapore, St. Martin, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 117 The increase is planned in a two-step staggered approach. The first increase from 7 to 8% will take place on Jan 1, 2023, and the second increase from 8 to 9% will take place on Jan 1, 2024. 118 Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla (UK), Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Congo, Rep., Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Ethiopia,Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Grenada Guinea, Guyana, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kyrgyz Republic, Lithuania, Malawi, Mexico,Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, North Macedonia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Oman, Serbia, St. Martin, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 119 Based on info from 22 countries. 120 Based on data from 68 measures. 121 Based on 18 programs. 122 Based on 43 measures, 123 Botswana, Cape Verde, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, , Guinea, Mozambique, Senegal, Togo. 124 Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cape Verde, Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 125 Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Namibia, Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. 505 126 Australia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. 127 Based on info from 11 countries. 128 Based on data from 40 measures. 129 Based on 28 programs. 130 Based on 31 measures, 131 Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. 132 Based on info from 30 countries. 133 Based on data from 164 measures. 134 Based on 106 programs. 135 Based on 135 measures, 136 Albania, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan 137 lbania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan 138 Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. 139 Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom 140 Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo. Kyrgyz, Republic, Latvia, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan 141 Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kyrgyz Republic, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. 142 Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Serbia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and North Macedonia. 143 Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal. Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan 144 Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, and United Kingdom. 145 Anguilla (UK), Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Martin, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Uruguay 146 Based on info from 16 countries. 147 Based on data from 49 measures. 148 Based on 26 programs. 149 Based on 52 measures, 150 Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, The Bahamas, Barbados, British Virginia, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Dominca, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Uruguay. 151 Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guayana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, St. Lucia, Suriname, Uruguay. 152 Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uruguay 506 153 Anguilla (UK), Barbados, Belize, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guyana, Mexico, Peru, St. Martin, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay 154 Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Jordan. 155 Based on info from 10 countries. 156 Based on data from 27 measures. 157 Based on 18 programs. 158 Based on 32 measures, 159 Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. 160 Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, and Jordan 161 Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Malta, Morocco, and Oman. 162 Based on info from 2 countries. 163 Based on data from 27 measures. 164 Based on 17 programs. 165 Based on 38 measures, 166 Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. 167 Based on info from 2 countries. 168 Based on data from 7 measures. 169 Based on 2 programs. 170 Based on 2 measures. 171 United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). Database on Household Size and Composition 2019. The database is accessible on the website of the Population Division: https://population.un.org/Household/index.html. 172 France, Italy, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, United Kingdom. 173 https://data.imf.org/regular.aspx?key=61545850 174 https://treasury.un.org/operationalrates/OperationalRates.php#top 175 https://english.news.cn/20220520/96af6c20bb624947b7f4a89e4f426902/c.html#:~:text=KABUL%2C%20May%2020%2 0(Xinhua),the%20government%20confirmed%20on%20Friday. (announcement, detailed information) 176 https://mia.gov.al/en/farmers-included-in-governments-recent-social-resistance-package-regarding-support-under-tax- free-oil-scheme/ 177 https://www.intellinews.com/southeast-european-governments-rush-to-offer-new-anti-crisis-packages-256037/ 178 https://english.news.cn/europe/20220313/b698057911cd49b5aa6058688cbf91f6/c.html 179 https://english.news.cn/europe/20220313/b698057911cd49b5aa6058688cbf91f6/c.html 180 https://www.argumentum.al/en/pm-rama-unveils-anti-crisis-package-boasting-albania-the-only-country-with-the-lowest- inflation/ 181 https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/albania-launches-first-phase-of-solar-subsidy-scheme/ 182 https://english.news.cn/europe/20220313/b698057911cd49b5aa6058688cbf91f6/c.html (transfer size, frequency) 183 https://albaniandailynews.com/news/premier-presents-the-package-of-resistance- (transfer size, frequency, duration) 184 https://www.intellinews.com/southeast-european-governments-rush-to-offer-new-anti-crisis-packages-256037/ 185 https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/government-subsidies-too-little-too-late-for-albanias-wheat- industry/ 186 https://www.intellinews.com/southeast-european-governments-rush-to-offer-new-anti-crisis-packages-256037/ 187 https://www.argumentum.al/en/pm-rama-unveils-anti-crisis-package-boasting-albania-the-only-country-with-the-lowest- inflation/ 188 https://english.news.cn/europe/20220313/b698057911cd49b5aa6058688cbf91f6/c.html 189 https://albaniandailynews.com/news/premier-presents-the-package-of-resistance- 190 https://www.intellinews.com/southeast-european-governments-rush-to-offer-new-anti-crisis-packages-256037/ 191 https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/albania-announces-energy-saving-measures-and-higher- costs-for-big-users/ 192 https://english.news.cn/europe/20220313/b698057911cd49b5aa6058688cbf91f6/c.html 193 https://www.intellinews.com/southeast-european-governments-rush-to-offer-new-anti-crisis-packages-256037/ 194 https://www.intellinews.com/southeast-european-governments-rush-to-offer-new-anti-crisis-packages-256037/ 195 https://english.news.cn/europe/20220313/b698057911cd49b5aa6058688cbf91f6/c.html 196 https://clubofmozambique.com/news/algeria-bans-export-of-food-211599/ 507 197 https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/algeria-tebboune-orders-the-freezing-and-removal-of-several-taxes-and-fees/ 198 https://www.advantia.ad/en/economy/anti-inflation-measures 199 https://www.advantia.ad/en/economy/anti-inflation-measures 200 https://rocpropietats.com/en/news/economy-finance-properties/2022/06/02/17/government-support-plan-to-improve- andorrans-purchasing-power/ 201 https://www.advantia.ad/en/economy/anti-inflation-measures 202 https://www.advantia.ad/en/economy/anti-inflation-measures 203 https://rocpropietats.com/en/news/economy-finance-properties/2022/06/02/17/government-support-plan-to-improve- andorrans-purchasing-power/ 204 https://www.advantia.ad/en/economy/anti-inflation-measures 205 https://www.advantia.ad/en/economy/anti-inflation-measures 206 https://www.advantia.ad/en/economy/anti-inflation-measures 207 https://www.govern.ad/presidencia-economia-i-empresa/item/14934-el-ministre-jordi-gallardo-destaca-la-importancia- de-consensuar-l-increment-dels-salaris-al-2023-amb-els-sindicats-i-la-patronal 208 https://www.advantia.ad/en/economy/anti-inflation-measures 209 https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiODgxZDY5YWItZjE1Yi00YTQxLWFhOGYtMDRiYmRiODA3MmM0IiwidC I6ImU2ZDNiOTM1LTgwZDktNGY0ZC05OTY3LTMyOThkNTIzMjg5ZCJ9 210 https://www.verangola.net/va/en/052022/Economy/31004/Government-will-increase-pensions-by-10-percent.htm 211 https://www.minfin.gov.ao/PortalMinfin/#!/sala-de-imprensa/noticias/10276/assembleia-nacional-aprova-oge-para-o- exercicio-economico-de-2022 212 https://www.minfin.gov.ao/PortalMinfin/#!/sala-de-imprensa/noticias/10276/assembleia-nacional-aprova-oge-para-o- exercicio-economico-de-2022 (basic info; announcement date); 213 https://www.globalvatcompliance.com/globalvatnews/angola-2022-budget-law-food-products-reduced-to-7-percent/ (food items) 214 https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/anguilla-removes-excise-tax-fuel- imports#:~:text=Motorists%20on%20Anguilla%20can%20expect,months%20in%20the%20first%20instance. 215 https://associatestimes.com/antigua-and-barbuda-to-implement-25-fuel-subsidy-program-for-taxi-bus- operators/#:~:text=Antigua%20and%20Barbuda%3A%20The%20Cabinet,effect%20on%20Thursday%2C%20March%202 4. 216 https://antiguaobserver.com/transportation-providers-fishermen-to-benefit-from-25-percent-fuel-subsidy%EF%BF%BC/ 217 https://www.clarin.com/economia/subsidios-2022-llegaran-us-20-000-millones-representaran-3-pbi_0_LeEq9IvJHV.html 218 https://www.clarin.com/economia/subsidios-2022-llegaran-us-20-000-millones-representaran-3-pbi_0_LeEq9IvJHV.html 219 https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/en-espanol/noticias/story/2022-04-06/argentina-aumenta-ayuda-a-pobres-para- comprar-alimentos 220 https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/anses-half-a-million-sign-up-for-emergency-food-aid-payment.phtml 221 https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/economy/argentina-offers-food-bonus-to-destitute-as-price-crisis-bites.phtml 222 https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/aumento-de-1553-para-jubilaciones-pensiones-y-asignaciones 223 https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/aumento-de-1553-para-jubilaciones-pensiones-y-asignaciones 224 https://www.ellitoral.com/economia/consejo-salario-minimo-vital-movil-acuerdo-septiembre-argentina- aumento_0_UMnVRmPKfP.html 225 https://www.iprofesional.com/economia/365081-salario-minimo-smvym-cuanto-es-el-sueldo-basico-en-argentina 226 https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2022/01/03/carne-cortes-exportar-argentina- 227 https://www.newsendip.com/argentina-stops-exports-of-soybean-oil-and-soybean-meal-until-further-notice/ 228 https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/campo/cierran-un-registro-para-exportar-aceite-y-harina-de-soja-y-subirian- retenciones-nid13032022/ 229 https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/argentina-hikes-export-tax-on-soy-meal-oil-to-33-to-combat-inflation 230 https://www.larepublica.co/globoeconomia/argentina-sube-impuesto-a-exportacion-de-harina-y-aceite-soja-a-33-hasta- fin-de-ano-3326377 231 https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31933189.html 232 https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31933189.html 233 https://www.government.aw/news/news_47033/item/list-of-basic-products-expanded_59628.html 234 https://www.government.aw/news/news_47033/item/maximum-prices-april-16-2022_59631.html 235 https://www.drive.com.au/news/electric-vehicle-subsidies-extended-in-victoria/ 236 https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/what-electric-vehicle-buyer-incentives-are-offered-around-australia 508 237 https://www.thelocal.at/20220802/austria-starts-anti-inflation-payments-with-e180-bonus-family-allowance/ 238 https://austrianpress.com/2022/06/14/relief-package-from-the-federal-government-in-detail/ 239 https://austrianpress.com/2022/06/14/relief-package-from-the-federal-government-in-detail/ (coverage, expenditure) 240 https://www.vindobona.org/article/climate-bonus-and-anti-inflation-bonus-come- earlier#:~:text=Because%20of%20inflation%20and%20the,of%20their%20citizenship%20and%20age. 241 https://www.thelocal.at/20221019/klimanbonus-payments-complete-for-the-austria-wide-scheme/ 242 https://www.thelocal.at/20220225/austria-announces-it-will-issue-one-off-cost-of-living-payments/ 243 https://www.thelocal.at/20220321/austria-unveils-e2-billion-relief-package-to-fight-rising-fuel-costs/ 244 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-20/austria-increases-energy-subsidies-to-offset-high-gas-prices 245 https://www.azernews.az/business/192557.html 246 https://www.azernews.az/business/197255.html 247 https://www.azernews.az/nation/190963.html 248 https://www.reuters.com/markets/bahamas-introduce-price-controls-dozens-key-food-staples-2022-10-13/ 249 https://www.reuters.com/markets/bahamas-introduce-price-controls-dozens-key-food-staples-2022-10-13/ 250 https://www.gulf-insider.com/bahrain-takes-steps-to-control-prices-of-food-items/ 251 https://www.arabnews.com/node/2048176/world (target group - rural) 252 https://www.thedailystar.net/special-events/budget-2022-23/news/tk-16000-crore-subsidy-fertiliser-proposed-3043316 253 https://www.tbsnews.net/markets/govt-bans-aromatic-rice-export-control-price-450722 254 https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/industries/tax-customes/news/nbr-extends-vat-cut-edible-oil-imports- 3064131 (announcement date; extension, duration); 255 https://theprint.in/world/bangladesh-to-minimise-vat-on-imported-essentials-to-arrest-spiralling-prices-of-essential- items/873435/ 256 https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/industries/tax-customes/news/bangladesh-slashes-rice-import-tariffs-25- percent-3055006 257 https://barbados.loopnews.com/content/budget-22-govt-caps-gas-and-diesel-prices[Extension] 258 https://barbados.loopnews.com/content/price-ease-consumers-pay-less-gasoline-and-diesel 259 https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20220816/barbados-pm-announces-cap-gas-prices 260 https://www.nationnews.com/2022/07/15/ministry-school-meals-trial-new-menus-summer-program/ 261 https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/children-to-receive-school-meals-during-summer-vacation/ 262 https://www.nycaribnews.com/articles/barbados-to-ease-burden-on- citizens/#:~:text=BRIDGETOWN%2C%20Barbados%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Barbados%20government,significant% 20increases%20in%20energy%20prices. 263 https://www.nycaribnews.com/articles/barbados-to-ease-burden-on- citizens/#:~:text=BRIDGETOWN%2C%20Barbados%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Barbados%20government,significant% 20increases%20in%20energy%20prices. 264 https://www.nationnews.com/2022/07/14/pm-announces-17-5m-package-ease-cost-living/ 265 https://barbados.loopnews.com/content/bajans-pay-less-supermarket-44-items; 266 https://www.nycaribnews.com/articles/barbados-to-ease-burden-on- citizens/#:~:text=BRIDGETOWN%2C%20Barbados%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Barbados%20government,significant% 20increases%20in%20energy%20prices. 267 https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20220816/barbados-pm-announces-cap-gas-prices 268 https://home.kpmg/us/en/home/insights/2022/03/tnf-barbados-tax-measures-in-2022- budget.html#:~:text=Value%20added%20tax%20(VAT),per%20liter%20for%20six%20months. 269 https://president.gov.by/en/documents/direktiva-no-10-ot-6-oktyabrya-2022-g-1665140329 270 https://cne.news/artikel/1553-thousands-of-large-belarusian-families-receive-money-for-school-supplies (expenditure, coverage, frequency, duration) 271 https://eng.belta.by/economics/view/belarus-suspends-export-of-rice-pasta-flour-149071-2022/ (restriction) 272 ttps://gratanet.com/news/ban-on-the-export-of-254-goods-from- belarus?utm_source=Mondaq&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=LinkedIn-integration (requirement of letter) 273 https://www.globaltradealert.org/intervention/102379/export-ban/belarus-temporary-export-ban-on-rice-pasta-rye-flour- and-barley-flour (April 14; rice and pasta to quota). 274 https://gratanet.com/news/ban-on-the-export-of-254-goods-from- belarus?utm_source=Mondaq&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=LinkedIn-integration (relaxation) 509 275 https://www.bruegel.org/publications/datasets/national-policies-to-shield-consumers-from-rising-energy-prices/ (expenditure, coverage) 276 https://www.premier.be/fr/le-gouvernement-prend-de-nouvelles-mesures-de-lutte-contre-la-hausse-des-prix-de-l-energie (expenditure old - for v2) 277 https://www.belgium.be/en/news/2022/federal_crisis_plan_combat_soaring_energy_prices (extension and new coverage) 278 https://bx1.be/categories/news/accises-tva-chomage-temporaire-le-federal-annonce-de-nouvelles-mesures-face-a-la- hausse-des-prix/ (transfer benefit, duration). 279 https://www.premier.be/fr/le-gouvernement-prend-de-nouvelles-mesures-de-lutte-contre-la-hausse-des-prix-de-l-energie (for financing, transfer benefit, duration) 280 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices (benefit size) 281 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices (expenditure) 282 https://www.rtbf.be/article/budget-federal-2022-le-tarif-social-elargi-et-un-cheque-energie-de-80-euros-pour-les-plus- fragiles-10858617?id=10858617 (expenditure, benefit size, duration) 283 https://www.brusselstimes.com/291079/belgian-government-announces-new-energy-support-measures-tbtb 284 https://bx1.be/categories/news/accises-tva-chomage-temporaire-le-federal-annonce-de-nouvelles-mesures-face-a-la- hausse-des-prix/ 285 https://www.onem.be/fr/nouveau/chomage-temporaire-consecutif-lepidemie-du-coronavirus-covid-19-et-la-guerre-en- ukraine-prolongation-de-la-procedure-simplifiee-jusquau-30062022 (benefit size, duration) 286 https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2022/09/16/federal-government-reaches-agreement-on-support-package-to-help/ 287 https://bx1.be/categories/news/accises-tva-chomage-temporaire-le-federal-annonce-de-nouvelles-mesures-face-a-la- hausse-des-prix/ 288 https://www.globalvatcompliance.com/globalvatnews/belgium-temporary-tax-relief/ (expenditure) 289 https://www.premier.be/fr/le-gouvernement-prend-de-nouvelles-mesures-de-lutte-contre-la-hausse-des-prix-de-l-energie (expenditure) 290 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices (extension) 291 https://www.belgium.be/en/news/2022/federal_crisis_plan_combat_soaring_energy_prices (extension) 292 https://bx1.be/categories/news/accises-tva-chomage-temporaire-le-federal-annonce-de-nouvelles-mesures-face-a-la- hausse-des-prix/ (expenditure) 293 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices (extension) 294 https://www.belgium.be/en/news/2022/federal_crisis_plan_combat_soaring_energy_prices (extension) 295 https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Mar-24-PR087-22-Fuel-Price-Update.pdf 296 https://www.gouv.bj/actualite/1724/le-gouvernement-vole-fois-encore-secours-consommateurs-beninois/ 297 https://www.gouv.bj/actualite/1724/le-gouvernement-vole-fois-encore-secours-consommateurs-beninois/ 298 https://www.ecofinagency.com/public-management/2403-43483-benin-issues-3-month-vat-exemption-to-reduce- inflation (duration) 299 https://www.ecofinagency.com/public-management/2403-43483-benin-issues-3-month-vat-exemption-to-reduce- inflation (duration; program details) 300 https://www.ecofinagency.com/public-management/2403-43483-benin-issues-3-month-vat-exemption-to-reduce- inflation (duration; program details) 301 https://www.gouv.bj/actualite/1724/le-gouvernement-vole-fois-encore-secours-consommateurs-beninois/ (duration, description) 302 https://www.gov.bm/articles/economic-relief-package-working-families 303 https://www.gov.bm/articles/economic-relief-package-working-families 304 https://www.gov.bm/articles/economic-relief-package-working-families 305 https://www.gov.bm/articles/economic-relief-package-working-families 306 https://www.gov.bm/articles/economic-relief-package-working-families 307 https://bernews.com/2022/04/fuel-prices-next-month-will-increased/ 308 https://www.gov.bm/articles/economic-relief-package-working-families 309 https://www.royalgazette.com/transport/news/article/20220427/government-freezes-gas-prices-for-a-second-month/ 310 https://seenews.com/news/bosnias-federation-to-subsidise-purchase-of-electric-hybrid-vehicles-785260 311 https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1135&furtherNews=yes&langId=en&newsId=10278 312 https://www.weekendpost.co.bw/33951/business/govt-sets-aside-p600m-for-bpc-consumer-tariff- subsidy/#:~:text=The%20P600%20million%20Government%20grant,from%20P500%20million%20in%202021. 510 313 https://home.kpmg/us/en/home/insights/2022/08/tnf-botswana-temporary-reductions-in-vat- rates.html#:~:text=The%20Minister%20of%20Finance%20announced,to%2012%25%20(from%2014%25) (start and end date). 314 https://www.taxathand.com/article/26710/Botswana/2022/Temporary-reduction-in-VAT-rates-and-other-economic- measures-announced (announcement & start date, information on the program). 315 https://home.kpmg/us/en/home/insights/2022/08/tnf-botswana-temporary-reductions-in-vat- rates.html#:~:text=The%20Minister%20of%20Finance%20announced,to%2012%25%20(from%2014%25) (start and end date). 316 https://www.taxathand.com/article/26710/Botswana/2022/Temporary-reduction-in-VAT-rates-and-other-economic- measures-announced (announcement & start date, information on the program). 317 https://jcconcursos.com.br/noticia/brasil/auxilio-brasil-de-marco-no-valor-de-r-400-sera-pago-partir-desta-sexta-18- . 318 92960 https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/politica/noticia/2022-05/bolsonaro-sanctions-permanent-brl-400-monthly- allowance 319 https://www.gov.br/cidadania/pt-br/noticias-e-conteudos/desenvolvimento-social/noticias-desenvolvimento- social/governo-federal-inicia-pagamento-do-auxilio-brasil-a-18-1-milhoes-de-familias-nesta-quarta-18.05 320 https://www.acheconcursos.com.br/beneficios-sociais/auxilio-brasil-inscricao-cadastro-unico-veja-como-fazer-49314 321 https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/market-insights/videos/market-movers-americas/220404-us-oil-execs- in-hot-seat-over-pump-prices-steel-keeps-climbing 322 https://jcconcursos.com.br/noticia/brasil/auxilio-gasolina-autorizado-pagamento-de-r-100-para-quem-recebe-auxilio- brasil-92677 323 https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/economia/noticia/2022-01/aid-brazil-starts-be-paid-tuesday 324 https://www.acheconcursos.com.br/beneficios-sociais/vale-gas-de-120-tera-3-parcelas-veja-como-consultar-pelo-cpf- 54304. 325 https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/lei-n-14.237-de-19-de-novembro-de-2021-360896474 326 https://www.caixa.gov.br/programas-sociais/auxilio-gas/Paginas/default.aspx 327 https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/market-insights/videos/market-movers-americas/220404-us-oil-execs- in-hot-seat-over-pump-prices-steel-keeps-climbing. 328 https://www.bloomberglinea.com/2022/06/15/camara-baja-de-brasil-aprueba-proyecto-de-ley-para-frenar-precios-de- combustibles/ 329 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/17417-brazil-to-suspend-tariff-on-ethanol- imports#:~:text=Brazil's%20Ministry%20of%20Economy%20announced,to%20reduce%20fuel%20prices%20domestically. 330 https://www.bloomberglinea.com/2022/06/15/camara-baja-de-brasil-aprueba-proyecto-de-ley-para-frenar-precios-de- combustibles/ 331 http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/bvi-government-to-help-residents-with-high-electricity- bills/article_fb9031f8-b63d-5c42-aaa8-5c18e4c20e31.html 332 http://www.bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/customs-duties-imports-reduced-5-percent-3- months#:~:text=Fahie%20has%20announced%20that%20all,the%20people%20of%20the%20Territory; 333 https://bvinews.com/reduction-on-import-taxes-extended-for-three-months/https://bvinews.com/reduction-on-import- taxes-extended-for-three-months/ (extension) 334 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 335 https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/europes-efforts-shield-households-energy-cost-spike-2022-03-21/ (expenditure) 336 https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/bulgaria-freezes-power-prices-households-until-end-march-2021-12-16/ 337 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 338 https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/05/18/bulgarias-ruling-majority-proposes-measures-to-counter-impact-of-inflation/ 339 https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/05/18/bulgarias-ruling-majority-proposes-measures-to-counter-impact-of-inflation/ (expenditure) 340 https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/bulgaria-adopts-large-scale-measures-to-tackle-record-inflation/ (coverage) 341 https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/05/18/bulgarias-ruling-majority-proposes-measures-to-counter-impact-of-inflation/ (transfer size) 342 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 343 https://www.orbitax.com/news/archive.php/Bulgaria-Enacts-Anti-Crisis-Pa-50301 511 344 https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/bulgaria-adopts-large-scale-measures-to-tackle-record-inflation/ 345 https://www.orbitax.com/news/archive.php/Bulgaria-Enacts-Anti-Crisis-Pa-50301 346 https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/05/18/bulgarias-ruling-majority-proposes-measures-to-counter-impact-of-inflation/ 347 https://wts.com/global/publishing-article/20220803-tax-measures-for-tackling-the-increasing-energy-prices-in- bulgaria~publishing-article?language=en 348 https://www.orbitax.com/news/archive.php/Bulgaria-Enacts-Anti-Crisis-Pa-50301. 349 https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/05/18/bulgarias-ruling-majority-proposes-measures-to-counter-impact-of-inflation/ 350 https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/05/18/bulgarias-ruling-majority-proposes-measures-to-counter-impact-of-inflation/ 351 https://www.orbitax.com/news/archive.php/Bulgaria-Enacts-Anti-Crisis-Pa-50301 352 clxii https://libreinfo.net/burkina-faso-des-difficultes-dans-la-subvention-du-ble-et-des-hydrocarbures/ 353 https://libreinfo.net/burkina-faso-des-difficultes-dans-la-subvention-du-ble-et-des-hydrocarbures/ 354 WB operation 355 https://www.fao.org/giews/food-prices/food-policies/detail/en/c/1492066/ 356 http://www.businessghana.com/site/news/general/260507/Govt-restricts-maize%2C-soya-beans-exports 357 https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/food-security-african-development-bank-grants-54-million- burundi-53422 358 https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/food-security-african-development-bank-grants-54-million- burundi-53422 (coverage; expenditure) 359 https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501108325/cambodia-subsidises-over-100-million-to-stabilise-electricity-tariffs-in- 2022-says-pm/ 360 https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501122367/cash-transfer-program-to-be-extended-to-year-end/ 361 https://www.journalducameroun.com/cameroun-face-a-la-flambee-des-prix-le-gouvernement-propose-la-tontine/ 362 https://www.businessincameroon.com/energy/2907-12709-cameroon-fuel-subsidies-could-finally-exceed-cfa780-billion- in-2022 363 https://www.journalducameroun.com/cameroun-face-a-la-flambee-des-prix-le-gouvernement-propose-la-tontine/; https://www.businessincameroon.com/energy/2907-12709-cameroon-fuel-subsidies-could-finally-exceed-cfa780-billion-in- 2022 (updated expenditure figure) 364 https://www.investiraucameroun.com/economie/1904-17796-au-cameroun-les-prix-de-nouveaux-produits-et-services- desormais-soumis-a-l-approbation-du-gouvernement 365 https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/cameroon-african-development-fund-approves-eu63-million- loan-boost-food-security- 53518#:~:text=In%20Cameroon%2C%20small%20producers%2C%20including,%E2%82%AC62.99%20million%20to%2 0Cameroon. (expenditure) 366 WB operation 367 https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/cameroon-african-development-fund-approves-eu63-million- loan-boost-food-security- 53518#:~:text=In%20Cameroon%2C%20small%20producers%2C%20including,%E2%82%AC62.99%20million%20to%2 0Cameroon. (expenditure) 368 WB operation 369 WB operation 370 WB operation 371 WB operation 372 WB operation 373 https://www.fao.org/giews/food-prices/food-policies/detail/en/c/1471656/. 374 https://fresno24.com/trade-in-cameroon-exports-of-cereals-and-vegetable-oils-suspended/ 375 https://www.fao.org/giews/food-prices/food-policies/detail/en/c/1585320/ 376 https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2022/04/government-of-canada-announces-changes-to-the- advance-payments-program-to-support-farmers-ahead-of-planting-season.html 377 https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-programs-and-services/advance-payments-program 378 https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2022/06/deputy-prime-minister-outlines-governments-affordability- plan-for-canadians.html 379 https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022PREM0056-001348 380 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-20-million-provincial-relief-inflation-gas-oil-dennis-king- 1.6377592 512 381 https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/03/23/quebec-to-give-residents-500-to-help-fight-inflation-how-would- ontarians-spend-that-money.html 382 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-providing-13-million-rising-fuel-costs-1.6396423 383 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-providing-13-million-rising-fuel-costs-1.6396423 384 https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2022/06/deputy-prime-minister-outlines-governments-affordability- plan-for-canadians.html 385 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/emergency-heating-grant-seniors-aid-inflation-1.6535235 386 https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2022/09/making-dental-care-more-affordable-the-canada-dental- benefit.html 387 https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2022/09/making-dental-care-more-affordable-the-canada-dental- benefit.html 388 https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2022/09/government-of-canada-introduces-legislation-to-make-life- more-affordable-for-canadians.html 389 https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2022/09/making-housing-more-affordable-one-time-top-up-to-the- canada-housing-benefit-program.html 390 https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2022/09/government-of-canada-introduces-legislation-to-make-life- more-affordable-for-canadians.html 391 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/affordability/family- benefit#:~:text=For%20the%20July%202022%20to,month%20for%20each%20additional%20child 392 https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022PREM0056-001348 393 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-providing-13-million-rising-fuel-costs-1.6396423 394 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-providing-13-million-rising-fuel-costs-1.6396423 395 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/minimum-wage-increase-bc- 1.6384906#:~:text=The%20British%20Columbia%20government%20is,minimum%20wage%20of%20any%20province 396 https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2022/09/making-life-more-affordable-doubling-the-goods-and- services-tax-credit-for-sixmonths.html 397 https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2022/09/13/making-life-more-affordable-canadians-year 398 https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2022/09/government-of-canada-introduces-legislation-to-make-life- more-affordable-for-canadians.html 399 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/income-taxes/personal/credits/climate- action?utm_source=vancouver%20is%20awesome&utm_campaign=vancouver%20is%20awesome%3A%20outbound&utm _medium=referral 400 https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/bc-news/how-to-check-if-you-got-a-surprise-cheque-from-the-bc-government- 5949542 401 https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022PREM0056-001348 402 https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2022/exec/1005n05/ 403 https://www.governo.cv/governo-atento-a-alta-dos-precos-dos-produtos-no-mercado-nacional/ 404 https://www.governo.cv/atualizacao-de-precos-de-combustiveis/ 405 https://www.macaubusiness.com/cabo-verde-government-managing-fuel-crisis-month-by-month-calls-for-consumers-to- cut-back/ 406 https://www.asemana.publ.cv/?Cabo-Verde-congela-preco-do-gas-butano-e-limita-a-5-aumento-no-gasoleo-e 407 https://www.governo.cv/governo-atento-a-alta-dos-precos-dos-produtos-no-mercado-nacional/ 408 https://www.governo.cv/governo-atento-a-alta-dos-precos-dos-produtos-no-mercado-nacional/ 409 https://www.governo.cv/governo-atento-a-alta-dos-precos-dos-produtos-no-mercado-nacional/ 410 https://www.governo.cv/governo-atento-a-alta-dos-precos-dos-produtos-no-mercado-nacional/ 411 https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-and-government-cabo-verde-join-forces-support-school-children-amidst-socio-economic- crisis 412 https://www.governo.cv/governo-atento-a-alta-dos-precos-dos-produtos-no-mercado-nacional/ 413 https://www.globalvatcompliance.com/globalvatnews/cape-verde-vat- gasoline/#:~:text=13%2FX%2F2022%2C%20the,gasoline%20from%2020%25%20to%2010%25 414 https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report-international/cabo-verde-gazettes-law-reducing-ice-rates-due-to-war 415 https://www.gov.ky/news/press-release-details/Press- Releases/COREDD76CF32CAD8421CAB028008874F6666/government-extends-electricity-assistance-programme-to-help- residents-through-december 513 416 https://www.gov.ky/news/press-release-details/electricity-cost-relief-for-households 417 https://www.gov.ky/cost-of-living/electricity-assistance 418 https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/food-security-african-development-bank-donates-54-million- central-african-republic-food-security-project-53354 419 https://blogs.worldbank.org/africacan/afw-six-charts-understand-chads-food-security- crisis#:~:text=The%20government%20forecasts%20a%20291%2C000,Humanitarian%20Response%20Plan%20in%202022 420 https://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/latinoamerica/chile-las-medidas-con-las-que-boric-busca-frenar-la-inflacion-669375 421 https://www.gob.cl/chileapoya/ 422 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https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3178695/china-pledges-us15b-grain-farmer-subsidies-offset-soaring 431 http://www.moa.gov.cn/gk/cwgk_1/nybt/202206/t20220616_6402693.htm 432 http://www.mof.gov.cn/jrttts/202204/t20220428_3807369.htm 433 http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2022-03/11/content_5678601.htm. 434 http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2022-05/22/content_5691726.htm 435 http://www.gov.cn/premier/2022-08/24/content_5706689.htm 436 https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3176276/electric-cars-chinas-ev-buyers-may-receive-cash- subsidies?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=3176276 437 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-02/beijing-plans-subsidies-for-ev-buyers-to-boost-covid-hit- economy 438 http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2022-05/18/content_5691021.htm 439 http://www.customs.gov.cn/customs/302249/2480148/3946909/index.html 440 https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economic-issues-watch/chinas-recent-trade-moves-create-outsize-problems- everyone- else#:~:text=China's%20Fertilizer%20Export%20Restrictions&text=In%20July%2C%20it%20ordered%20major,customs% 20mandated%20dubious%20additional%20inspections. 441 http://www.gov.cn/premier/2022-08/19/content_5706108.htm 442 https://www.larepublica.co/economia/minenergia-ha-girado-600000-millones-en-subsidios-a-la-tarifa-de-energia-en- 2022- 3316275#:~:text=%22S%C3%B3lo%20en%20los%20dos%20primeros,Minas%20y%20Energ%C3%ADa%2C%20Diego% 20Mesa. 443 https://www.semana.com/economia/empresas/articulo/este-ano-se-han-entregado-mas-de-600-mil-millones-en-subsidios- a-la-tarifa-de-energia/202225/ 444 https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/empresas/Colombia-pone-fin-a-los-subsidios-para-el-precio-de-la-gasolina- 20220615-0119.html 445 https://www.minhacienda.gov.co/webcenter/ShowProperty?nodeId=%2FConexionContent%2FWCC_CLUSTER- 197963%2F%2FidcPrimaryFile&revision=latestreleased 446 http://leyes.senado.gov.co/proyectos/images/documentos/Textos%20Radicados/proyectos%20de%20ley/2022-2023/PL- 115S-2022.pdf 447 https://www.valoraanalitik.com/2022/09/16/los-4-acuerdos-colombia-para-bajar-tarifas-energia/ 448 https://www.comfama.com/subsidio/bono-alimentacion/ 449 https://www.mincit.gov.co/prensa/noticias/comercio/para-controlar-inflacion-gobierno-expide-decreto 450 https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/mayotte/comores-le-gouvernement-fixe-les-prix-des-denrees-alimentaires-de-premiere- necessite-1269432.html 514 451 https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/mayotte/comores-le-gouvernement-fixe-les-prix-des-denrees-alimentaires-de-premiere- necessite-1269432.html 452 https://www.foodbusinessafrica.com/comoros-benefits-from-afdbs-emergency-fund-clinching-us5-6m-to-boost-food- production/ (coverage, expenditure, other info) 453 https://www.foodbusinessafrica.com/comoros-benefits-from-afdbs-emergency-fund-clinching-us5-6m-to-boost-food- production/ (coverage, expenditure, other info) 454 https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2022/07/05/Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo-Staff-Report-for-the- 2022-Article-IV-Consultation-Second-520400 455 https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/food-security-africa-african-development-bank-provides- around-135-million-boost-food-production-democratic-republic-congo-53452 (cov, exp, info) 456 http://www.primature.gouv.cg/audiences/ 457 http://www.primature.gouv.cg/audiences/ 458 https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/congo-settle-back-payments-around-160-mln-oil-companies-govt-says-2022- 10-12/ (planned and actual exp) https://www.barrons.com/articles/traffic-piles-up-in-dr-congo-s-capital-as-fuel-shortage-bites-01662656408 (subsidy benefit size per litre) 459 https://www.vatupdate.com/2022/03/04/vat-reduction-to-8-for-essential-food-items/ 460 https://www.globalvatcompliance.com/globalvatnews/congo-vat-reduction-8percent-essential-food-items/ 461 https://es.noticias.yahoo.com/presidente-anuncia-medidas-altos-precios-002554817.html 462 https://www.nacion.com/el-pais/politica/gobierno-anuncia-rebaja-a-impuesto-del-arroz- y/D7N35FISLVAFZGXDL7GCE42NT4/story/ 463 https://www.imas.go.cr/sites/default/files/docs/DECRETO%20%2343749%20REFORMA%20D.E.%2043670%20CREA CION%20BENEFICIO%20POR%20INFLACION%20Octubre%202022.pdf, https://www.imas.go.cr/es/comunicado/gobierno-firma-decreto-para-apoyar-familias-mas-afectadas-por-inflacion, 464 https://www.imas.go.cr/sites/default/files/docs/Decreto%20para%20la%20ejecuci%C3%B3n%20del%20beneficio%20te mporal%20apoyo%20a%20familias%20afectadas%20por%20la%20inflaci%C3%B3n%20y%20el%20consecuente%20aum ento%20en%20el%20costo%20de%20los%20alimentos.pdf 465 https://www.nacion.com/el-pais/politica/gobierno-anuncia-rebaja-a-impuesto-del-arroz- y/D7N35FISLVAFZGXDL7GCE42NT4/story/ 466 https://forbescentroamerica.com/2022/08/03/chaves-promete-ley-para-fijar-un-techo-a-precio-de-combustibles-en-costa- rica 467 http://apanews.net/en/news/cdivoire-provides-cfa500-bln-subsidy-to-control-fuel-inflation/; https://www.theafricareport.com/183176/cote-divoire-mobilises-over-88m-to-combat-soaring-prices/ (source of financing) 468 https://www.gouv.ci/_actualite-article.php?recordID=13241 469 https://www.gouv.ci/_actualite-article.php?recordID=13241 470 https://www.ecofinagency.com/public-management/0808-43782-cote-d-ivoire-announces-new-social-measures-to- combat-rising-cost-of-living (benefit size, duration, info) 471 https://www.ecofinagency.com/public-management/0808-43782-cote-d-ivoire-announces-new-social-measures-to- combat-rising-cost-of-living (benefit size, duration, info) 472 https://www.ecofinagency.com/public-management/0808-43782-cote-d-ivoire-announces-new-social-measures-to- combat-rising-cost-of-living (benefit size, duration, info) 473 https://www.afrique-sur7.ci/485567-cherte-vie-cote-divoire-vivrier 474 https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/cote-divoire-african-development-bank-extends-eu151million- loan-boost-food-security-53768 (expenditure, source of financing, coverage) 475 https://www.gouv.ci/_actualite-article.php?recordID=13241 476 https://vlada.gov.hr/news/coric-new-govt-directive-abolishing-fuel-mixing-mandate/35070 477 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 478 WB operations; interal souce. 479 WB operations; interal souce. 480 WB operations; interal souce. 481 https://www.bruegel.org/publications/datasets/national-policies-to-shield-consumers-from-rising-energy-prices/ 482 WB operations; interal souce. 483 WB operations; interal souce. 484 WB operations; interal souce. 515 485 WB operations; interal souce. 486 WB operations; interal souce. 487 WB operations; interal souce. 488 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 489 WB operations; interal souce. 490 WB operations; interal souce. 491 WB operations; interal souce. 492 WB operations; interal souce. 493 WB operations; interal souce. 494 WB operations; interal souce. 495 WB operations; interal souce. 496 https://www.bruegel.org/publications/datasets/national-policies-to-shield-consumers-from-rising-energy-prices/ 497 https://www.minhacienda.gov.co/webcenter/ShowProperty?nodeId=%2FConexionContent%2FWCC_CLUSTER- 197963%2F%2FidcPrimaryFile&revision=latestreleased 498 WB operations; interal souce. 499 WB operations; interal souce. 500 WB operations; interal souce. 501 https://vlada.gov.hr/news/gov-t-locks-margin-on-petroleum-products-temporarily-reduces-fuel-excise-duties/35024 502 https://www.minhacienda.gov.co/webcenter/ShowProperty?nodeId=%2FConexionContent%2FWCC_CLUSTER- 197963%2F%2FidcPrimaryFile&revision=latestreleased 503 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 504 https://vlada.gov.hr/news/measures-to-mitigate-impact-of-energy-prices-enter-into-force-on-1-april/35158 505 https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/energie-so-gehen-europaeische-laender-gegen-hohe-energiepreise-vor-dpa.urn- newsml-dpa-com-20090101-220425-99-31784 506 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 507 WB operations; interal souce. 508 WB operations; interal souce. 509 https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/main/subsidies-on-gasoline-petrol-and-diesel-will-remain-for-another-three- months/ 510 https://www.thedailyherald.sx/editorial/not-to-be-overlooked 511 https://www.thenationalherald.com/cyprus-offers-subsidy-for-homeowners-installing-solar-panels/ 512 https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/07/28/cyprus-to-absorb-new-energy-bill-hikes-finance-minister/ 513 https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1182884/cypriots-to-get-green-energy-subsidies/ 514 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 515 https://echo24.cz/a/S7gmZ/energeticke-tsunami-muze-dojit-ke-zastropovani-cen-energii-i-pohonnych-hmot-prohlasil- jurecka 516 https://echo24.cz/a/S7gmZ/energeticke-tsunami-muze-dojit-ke-zastropovani-cen-energii-i-pohonnych-hmot-prohlasil- jurecka 517 https://echo24.cz/a/S7gmZ/energeticke-tsunami-muze-dojit-ke-zastropovani-cen-energii-i-pohonnych-hmot-prohlasil- jurecka 518 https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/economy-and-ecology/how-european-countries-are-dealing-with-the-rising-inflation- 6105/ 519 https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/economy-and-ecology/how-european-countries-are-dealing-with-the-rising-inflation- 6105/ 520 https://tekdeeps.com/starting-today-families-can-apply-for-czk-5000-per-child-online-or-at-czech-points/ (coverage, expenditure, benefit size, duration) 521 https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/domaci/3510515-vlada-na-energetickou-pomoc-lidem-a-firmam-vyhradi-66-miliard 522 https://www.gtnews.cz/en/articles/tax-reliefs-of-czech-government-to-combat-the-crisis/ 523 https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/czechia-to-provide-state-aid-keeping-housing-energy-costs-under- 30-of-income/ 524 https://www.peopleinneed.net/housing-and-energy-subsidies-what-are-you-entitled-to-9559gp 525 https://www.azernews.az/region/198499.html 526 https://echo24.cz/a/S7gmZ/energeticke-tsunami-muze-dojit-ke-zastropovani-cen-energii-i-pohonnych-hmot-prohlasil- jurecka 516 527 https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/energie-so-gehen-europaeische-laender-gegen-hohe-energiepreise-vor-dpa.urn- newsml-dpa-com-20090101-220425-99-31784 528 https://www.gtnews.cz/en/articles/tax-reliefs-of-czech-government-to-combat-the-crisis/ 529 https://echo24.cz/a/S7gmZ/energeticke-tsunami-muze-dojit-ke-zastropovani-cen-energii-i-pohonnych-hmot-prohlasil- jurecka. 530 https://english.radio.cz/government-approves-reduction-excise-duties-petrol-and-diesel-8747020 531 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 532 https://www.thelocal.com/20220330/denmark-boosts-heating-bill-help-and-will-give-it-to-more-households/ 533 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 534 https://english.news.cn/20220625/d658ba044411413aa650d17c9d353ddf/c.html 535 https://www.adi.dj/index.php/site/Plus/9637 536 https://africa24tv.com/djibouti-une-subvention-sur-les-produits-de-premiere-necessite-annoncee/ 537 WB Operations 538 https://www.adi.dj/index.php/site/Plus/9637 539 https://africa24tv.com/djibouti-une-subvention-sur-les-produits-de-premiere-necessite-annoncee/ 540 WB operations 541 WB Operations 542 https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/homepage-carousel/government-of-dominica-announces-reduction-in- cost-of-petroleum-products/ 543 https://www.erpecnewslive.com/article/45917/government-approves-the-sale-of-two-types-of-diesel-at-petrol-stations- across-the-island 544 https://wicnews.com/caribbean/dominica/pm-roosevelt-skerrit-announced-major-relief-in-dominica-budget-2022- 543743656/ 545 https://assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/bb/pdf/2022/07/KPMG%20Dominica%20Budget%20Commentary%202022.pdf 546 https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/homepage-carousel/government-of-dominica-announces-reduction-in- cost-of-petroleum-products/ 547 https://www.erpecnewslive.com/article/45917/government-approves-the-sale-of-two-types-of-diesel-at-petrol-stations- across-the-island 548 https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/presidente-abinader-anuncia-medidas-para-estabilizar-el-precio-de-los-combustibles- y-de-la 549 https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/presidente-abinader-anuncia-medidas-para-estabilizar-el-precio-de-los-combustibles- y-de-la 550 https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/presidente-abinader-asegura-programas-sociales-del-gobierno-son-mayores-que-antes 551 https://www.superate.gob.do/noticias/presidente-abinader-anuncio-ampliacion-de-los-subsidios-sociales-del-programa- superate/ (horizontal increase, benefit size) 552 https://www.superate.gob.do/noticias/gloria-reyes-dice-400-mil-personas-seran-beneficiadas-con-el-aumento-del- subsidio-bonogas-hogar/ 553 https://www.superate.gob.do/noticias/presidente-abinader-anuncio-ampliacion-de-los-subsidios-sociales-del-programa- superate/ 554 https://www.superate.gob.do/ 555 https://www.americaeconomia.com/economia-mercados/ecuador-anuncia-bandas-para-precios-de-combustible-y-mas- recorte-de-gasto-publico 556 https://www.comunicacion.gob.ec/decreto-ejecutivo-n-o-467/ (legal information, amount, date) 557 https://www.comunicacion.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Decreto_Ejecutivo_No._456.pdf (legal information, date, percentage of susidy) 558 https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/2/463371/Egypt/Society/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Armed-Forces-offers- lowcost-food-commoditi.aspx 559 https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/03/egypt-institutes-price-controls-bread 560 https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/egypt/2022/03/27/egypt-to-launch-goods-exhibitions-with-reduced-prices- before-the-holy-month/ 561 https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/463245/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-is-capable-of-controlling-price-hike- crisis,.aspx 562 https://www.presidency.eg/en/%D9%82%D8%B3%D9%85- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1- 517 %D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3- %D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B9- %D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3- %D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%AF- %D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-26-07-2022/ 563 https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/2/472228/Egypt/Society/Egypt%E2%80%99s-NACDW-allocates-EGP-- billion-to-help-,-fam.aspx 564 https://www.presidency.eg/en/%D9%82%D8%B3%D9%85- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1- %D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3- %D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B9- %D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3- %D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%AF- %D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-26-07-2022/ 565 https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/463245/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-is-capable-of-controlling-price-hike- crisis,.aspx 566 https://www.presidency.eg/en/%D9%82%D8%B3%D9%85- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1- %D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3- %D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B9- %D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3- %D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%AF- %D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-26-07-2022/ 567 https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/egypt-bans-export-of-some-staples-including-wheat-for-three-months 568 https://www.reuters.com/article/egypt-commodities-exports/egypt-extends-ban-on-staples-including- 569 https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3527116/egypt-bans-exports-vegetable-oil-and-corn-3-months 570 https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/463245/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-is-capable-of-controlling-price-hike- crisis,.aspx 571 https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/El-Salvador-fija-el-precio-m-ximo-de-los-17057807.php 572 https://www.americaeconomia.com/economia-mercados/presidente-bukele-propone-un-aumento-del-salario-minimo-del- 20-en-el-salvador 573 https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/negocios/crisis-economica-gasolina-petroleo-bukele/935383/2022/ 574 https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/el-salvador-econom%C3%ADa_el-salvador-suspender%C3%A1-impuestos-para--paliar-- impacto-de-inflaci%C3%B3n-mundial/47422418 575 https://www.elsalvadortimes.com/articulo/negocios/presentan-propuesta-suspender-ano-pago- impuesto/20220621195816085766.html 576 https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/salvadorenos-estan-mejor-protegidos-ante-la-inflacion-mundial-comparado-con- centroamerica-gracias-a-las-iniciativas-del-presidente-bukele/ 577 https://news.err.ee/1608617119/june-12-deadline-for-tallinn-energy-subsidies-applications 578 https://www.valitsus.ee/uudised/valitsuse-pressikonverents-22-september-2022 579 https://arileht.delfi.ee/artikkel/94859291/madala-sissetulekuga-isikuile-huvitatakse-elektri-hinnatous-tagasiulatuvalt- koigile-tarbijatele-langetatakse-vorgutasusid 580 https://www.valitsus.ee/en/news/government-approved-additional-energy-price-support-measures 581 Update Link: 1. https://news.err.ee/1608570223/estonia-has-paid-out-170-million-in-compensation-for-high-energy- prices 582 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 583 https://news.err.ee/1608617119/june-12-deadline-for-tallinn-energy-subsidies-applications 584 https://news.err.ee/1608617119/june-12-deadline-for-tallinn-energy-subsidies-applications 585 https://news.postimees.ee/7435298/government-agrees-on-new-energy-price-compensation-measures 586 https://www.valitsus.ee/uudised/valitsuse-pressikonverents-22-september-2022 587 https://www.valitsus.ee/uudised/valitsuse-pressikonverents-22-september-2022 518 588 https://www.valitsus.ee/uudised/valitsuse-pressikonverents-22-september-2022 589 https://www.valitsus.ee/uudised/valitsuse-pressikonverents-22-september-2022 590 https://www.valitsus.ee/uudised/valitsuse-pressikonverents-22-september-2022 591 https://www.valitsus.ee/uudised/valitsuse-pressikonverents-22-september-2022 592 https://www.valitsus.ee/uudised/valitsuse-pressikonverents-22-september-2022 593 https://www.gov.sz/index.php/component/content/category/126-agriculture?Itemid=799 (benefit size, expenditure, announcement date, start date and end date) 594 WB Operations 595 https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=The%20Ethiopian%20Govern ment%20Lifts%20Foreign%20Exchange%20Permit%20Requirements%20for%20Food%20Commodity%20Imports%20thr ough%20Franco-Valuta%20_Addis%20Ababa_Ethiopia_ET2022-0016.pdf 596 https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=The%20Ethiopian%20Govern ment%20Lifts%20Foreign%20Exchange%20Permit%20Requirements%20for%20Food%20Commodity%20Imports%20thr ough%20Franco-Valuta%20_Addis%20Ababa_Ethiopia_ET2022-0016.pdf 597 https://fijisun.com.fj/2022/07/18/money-up-for-grabs/ 598 Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation’s Facebook Posts. 599 Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation’s Facebook Posts. 600 https://intermin.fi/en/-/10616/government-budget-proposal-for-2023-secures-purchasing-power-compensates-price-hike- in-electricity-and-strengthens-conditions-for-sustainable-growth 601 https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/22395-government-proposes-temporary-increases-to-family- benefit.html 602 https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/22395-government-proposes-temporary-increases-to-family- benefit.html 603 https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/22395-government-proposes-temporary-increases-to-family- benefit.html 604 https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/22395-government-proposes-temporary-increases-to-family- benefit.html 605 https://intermin.fi/en/-/10616/government-budget-proposal-for-2023-secures-purchasing-power-compensates-price-hike- in-electricity-and-strengthens-conditions-for-sustainable-growth 606 https://intermin.fi/en/-/10616/government-budget-proposal-for-2023-secures-purchasing-power-compensates-price-hike- in-electricity-and-strengthens-conditions-for-sustainable-growth 607 https://intermin.fi/en/-/10616/government-budget-proposal-for-2023-secures-purchasing-power-compensates-price-hike- in-electricity-and-strengthens-conditions-for-sustainable-growth 608 https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/22395-government-proposes-temporary-increases-to-family- benefit.html 609 https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-//10623/government-decides-on-targeted-measures-to-compensate-increased-energy-prices 610 https://www.vero.fi/en/individuals/vehicles/kilometre_and_per_diem_allowances/#:~:text=Kilometre%20allowance%20f or%20using%20your%20own%20car&text=For%202022%2C%20the%20basic%20allowance,passengers%20during%20th e%20business%20trip 611 https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-//10623/government-decides-on-targeted-measures-to-compensate-increased-energy-prices (benefit size and other details. 612 https://www.vero.fi/en/individuals/vehicles/kilometre_and_per_diem_allowances/#:~:text=Kilometre%20allowance%20f or%20using%20your%20own%20car&text=For%202022%2C%20the%20basic%20allowance,passengers%20during%20th e%20business%20trip. (how this commute to work is not considered as travel for tax purpose) 613 https://intermin.fi/en/-/10616/government-budget-proposal-for-2023-secures-purchasing-power-compensates-price-hike- in-electricity-and-strengthens-conditions-for-sustainable-growth 614 https://intermin.fi/en/-/10616/government-budget-proposal-for-2023-secures-purchasing-power-compensates-price-hike- in-electricity-and-strengthens-conditions-for-sustainable-growth 615 https://intermin.fi/en/-/10616/government-budget-proposal-for-2023-secures-purchasing-power-compensates-price-hike- in-electricity-and-strengthens-conditions-for-sustainable-growth 616 https://intermin.fi/en/-/10616/government-budget-proposal-for-2023-secures-purchasing-power-compensates-price-hike- in-electricity-and-strengthens-conditions-for-sustainable-growth 617 https://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/transports/carburants-essence-diesel/video-comment-fonctionne-la-remise-de-18- centimes-a-la-pompe-5a469d83-b16a-4031-93ec-5e9d83d8ba4e (expenditure) 519 618 https://www-ouest--france-fr.translate.goog/economie/transports/carburants-essence-diesel/prix-des-carburants-un- dispositif-cible-remplacera-la-remise-de-18-centimes-a-l-ete-dit-le-maire-3aaea6b4-c477-11ec-9bac- e092504fc1fc?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc (expenditure) 619 https://www.france24.com/en/france/20220804-french-mps-approve-20-billion-euro-package-to-help-with-soaring- inflation 620 https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/France-s-30-cent-at-the-pump-fuel-discount-to-be-extended (extention in duration) 621 https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2022-03-16/france-unveiling-aid-to-counter-ukraine-war-economic- fallout 622 https://www.gouvernement.fr/discours/12743-discours-du-premier-ministre-jean-castex-plan-de-resilience-economique- et-sociale 623 https://fiskerforum.com/france-extends-fuel-aid-for-fishing/ 624 https://www.france24.com/en/france/20220804-french-mps-approve-20-billion-euro-package-to-help-with-soaring- inflation 625 https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2022/07/08/mitigating-inflation-french-government-releases-an-additional-20- billion_5989478_5.html 626 https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/global-fuel-subsidies-ramped-up-counter-energy-price-spike-2022-03-17/ 627 https://www.thelocal.fr/20220722/french-fuel-firm-says-it-will-offer-motorists-e0-20-per-litre-discount/ 628 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 629 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 630 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 631 https://agriculture.gouv.fr/crise-en-ukraine-les-mesures-agricoles-et-agroalimentaires-du-plan-de-resilience-economique- et 632 https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2022/07/08/mitigating-inflation-french-government-releases-an-additional-20- billion_5989478_5.html 633 https://www.france24.com/en/france/20220804-french-mps-approve-20-billion-euro-package-to-help-with-soaring- inflation 634 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 635 https://www.gouvernement.fr/partage/12743-discours-du-premier-ministre-jean-castex-plan-de-resilience-economique- et-sociale 636 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 637 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 638 https://www-lesechos-fr.translate.goog/economie-france/social/la-revalorisation-des-prestations-sociales-a-la-remorque- de-linflation-1397722?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc 639 https://france.detailzero.com/news/54190/Revaluation-of-the-RSA-amount-date-of-payment-by-the-Caf…-what-to- know-about-the-increase-in-the-benefit.html 640 https://www-lesechos-fr.translate.goog/economie-france/social/la-revalorisation-des-prestations-sociales-a-la-remorque- de-linflation-1397722?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc (benefit size, duration) 641 https://newsinfrance.com/the-government-is-preparing-to-raise-the-activity-bonus/ 642 https://www-vie--publique-fr.translate.goog/discours/285112-conseil-ministres-11052022-protection-du-pouvoir-d-achat- des-francais?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc 643 https://hiconnect.com/the-payment-of-the-macron-bonus-in-2021-2022/ 644 https://themediafun.com/macron-2022-bonus-tripled-amount-for-whom/ 645 https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2022/07/08/mitigating-inflation-french-government-releases-an-additional-20- billion_5989478_ 646 https://www.wtwco.com/en-CH/Insights/2022/08/france-macron-bonus-renewed-accompanied-by-new-inflation- fighting-measures 647 https://www.france24.com/en/france/20220804-french-mps-approve-20-billion-euro-package-to-help-with-soaring- inflation 648 https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2022/07/08/mitigating-inflation-french-government-releases-an-additional-20- billion_5989478_5.html 649 https://www-lesechos-fr.translate.goog/economie-france/social/la-revalorisation-des-prestations-sociales-a-la-remorque- de-linflation-1397722?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc 650 https://www.bruegel.org/publications/datasets/national-policies-to-shield-consumers-from-rising-energy-prices/ 520 651 https://www.gouvernement.fr/discours/12743-discours-du-premier-ministre-jean-castex-plan-de-resilience-economique- et-sociale 652 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 653 https://www.gouvernement.fr/discours/12743-discours-du-premier-ministre-jean-castex-plan-de-resilience-economique- et-sociale (benefit size, coverage, duration) 654 https://www.fxempire.com/news/article/frances-macron-mulls-food-stamps-to-help-poor-households-cope-with-ukraine- war-fallout-943459 655 https://www.linternaute.com/argent/guide-de-vos-finances/2536760-cheque-alimentaire-annonce-avec-le-projet-de-loi- pouvoir-d-achat-quelle-date/ 656 https://www-challenges-fr.translate.goog/economie/l-inflation-alimentaire-va-couter-224-aux-francais-que-prevoit-l- executif_814582?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc 657 https://www.france24.com/en/france/20220804-french-mps-approve-20-billion-euro-package-to-help-with-soaring- inflation 658 https://www-vie--publique-fr.translate.goog/discours/285112-conseil-ministres-11052022-protection-du-pouvoir-d-achat- des-francais?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc 659 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjF2Zv456D7 AhVphf0HHaIMBb4QFnoECAMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.service- 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https://www-service--public- fr.translate.goog/particuliers/actualites/A15783?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=it&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc 666 https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/global-fuel-subsidies-ramped-up-counter-energy-price-spike-2022-03-17/ 667 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 668 https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/dp-plan-sobriete.pdf 669 https://www.gouvernement.fr/partage/12743-discours-du-premier-ministre-jean-castex-plan-de-resilience-economique-et- sociale 670 https://www.bruegel.org/publications/datasets/national-policies-to-shield-consumers-from-rising-energy-prices/ 671 https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/fiscalite-des-energies#scroll-nav__1 672 https://www.gouvernement.fr/partage/12743-discours-du-premier-ministre-jean-castex-plan-de-resilience-economique- et-sociale 673 https://www.bruegel.org/publications/datasets/national-policies-to-shield-consumers-from-rising-energy-prices/ 674 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https://www.timesofisrael.com/bennett-liberman-promise-vexed-public-to-tackle-living-costs-help-families/ 861 https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/bonus-energia-lazio-e-sconto-carburante-friuli-aiuti-regionali-contro-caro-prezzi- AELY7bNB?refresh_ce=1 862 https://www.tag24.it/302021-nel-lazio-bonus-energia-da-300-euro-contro-il-caro-bollette/ 863 https://www.ansa.it/canale_motori/notizie/attualita/2022/05/27/benzina-regione-fvg-confermato-super-sconto-fino-al-30- giugno_7126fa87-4d16-4cc1-99a0-a7cccef15e47.html 864 https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/bonus-energia-lazio-e-sconto-carburante-friuli-aiuti-regionali-contro-caro-prezzi- AELY7bNB?refresh_ce=1 (benefit size, duration) 865 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices (coverage) 866 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices (expenditure) 867 https://www.governo.it/it/articolo/comunicato-stampa-del-consiglio-dei-ministri-n-68/19432 868 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https://www.lavoro.gov.it/notizie/Pagine/Decreto-Aiuti-bis-ulteriori-misure-in-favore-di-lavoratori-imprese-e- famiglie.aspx 878 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 879 https://tg24.sky.it/economia/2022/09/13/decreto-aiuti-bis-2022#11 880 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices (benefit size, duration, coverage, expenditure) 881 https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/decreto-aiuti-bis-c-e-firma-mattarella-ecco-novita-AEHVcIsB?refresh_ce=1 (coverage update) 882 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 883 https://www.governo.it/it/articolo/comunicato-stampa-del-consiglio-dei-ministri-n-68/19432 (benefit size, duration) 526 884 https://www.altroconsumo.it/auto-e-moto/automobili/news/bonus-benzina 885 https://www.unobravo.com/post/bonus-psicologo?gclid=CjwKCAjwpKyYBhB7EiwAU2Hn2YWbmMp7iWfs1nUSP4- UzvvAputpnb_8O9-cjKIRmWcnuyj_SgGmbxoCM0EQAvD_BwE 886 https://www.corriere.it/economia/consumi/cards/decreto-aiuti-bis-14-miliardi-taglio-cuneo-bollette-pensioni- misure/bonus-psicologo.shtml 887 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 888 https://www.lavoro.gov.it/notizie/Pagine/Decreto-Aiuti-bis-ulteriori-misure-in-favore-di-lavoratori-imprese-e- famiglie.aspx 889 https://tg24.sky.it/economia/2022/09/13/decreto-aiuti-bis-2022#11 890 https://www.lavoro.gov.it/notizie/Pagine/Decreto-Aiuti-bis-ulteriori-misure-in-favore-di-lavoratori-imprese-e- famiglie.aspx 891 https://tg24.sky.it/economia/2022/09/13/decreto-aiuti-bis-2022#10 892 https://tg24.sky.it/economia/2022/09/13/decreto-aiuti-bis-2022#10 893 https://tg24.sky.it/economia/2022/09/13/decreto-aiuti-bis-2022#10 894 https://www.cfnews.it/previdenza/i-nuovi-limiti-di-impignorabilità-delle-pensioni/ 895 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 896 https://www.governo.it/it/articolo/comunicato-stampa-del-consiglio-dei-ministri-n-68/19432 897 https://www.leggioggi.it/2022/03/22/decreto-taglia-prezzi-sconti-benzina-e-bollette/ 898 https://www.informazionefiscale.it/Accise-carburante-riduzione-prezzo-benzina-gasolio-proroga-8-luglio-2022 899 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 900 https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/caro-carburanti-sconto-30-centesimi-litro-prorogato-meta-novembre- AEo3Ru9B?refresh_ce=1 901 https://www.bruegel.org/publications/datasets/national-policies-to-shield-consumers-from-rising-energy-prices/ 902 https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/govt-provide-20-cent-subsidy-nearly-460000-jps-customers 903 https://jis.gov.jm/government-to-pay-20-per-cent-of-electricity-bill-for-low-income-households/ 904 https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/200m-set-aside-help-neediest-jamaicans-food-expenses-clarke 905 https://www.mlss.gov.jm/news/189million-payout-by-the-ministry-of-labour-and-social-security-under-serp/ 906 https://www.mlss.gov.jm/news/189million-payout-by-the-ministry-of-labour-and-social-security-under-serp/ 907 https://mlss.gov.jm/news/2-billion-payout-by-the-ministry-of-labour-and-social-security-in-back-to-school-grants-to- path-beneficiaries/ 908 https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latest-news/clarke-announces-2-7b-in-additional-social-intervention-expenditure/ 909 https://jis.gov.jm/600m-to-cushion-rising-fuel-prices-for-taxi-operators/ 910 https://jis.gov.jm/features/govt-ramping-up-social-pension-programme-beneficiaries/ 911 https://opm.gov.jm/news/government-providing-targeted-support-to-jamaicans-who-need-it/ 912 https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latest-news/clarke-announces-2-7b-in-additional-social-intervention-expenditure/ 913 https://jis.gov.jm/house-approves-minimum-wage-orders/ 914 https://mlss.gov.jm/news/national-minimum-wage-increase-approved/ 915 https://www.arabnews.jp/en/business/article_75138/ 916 https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2022-04-20/japan-raises-gasoline-subsidy-to-maximum-of-25-yen- per-litre 917 https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220427/p2a/00m/0op/016000c (expenditure info) 918 https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/japan-oks-21b-extra-budget-tackle-rising-prices-85083936 919 https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/10/01/business/japan-oil-subsidy-gasoline/ 920 https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20220909/amp/k10013810441000.html 921 https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221028_41/ 922 https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/10/60422443cac1-japan-to-approve-new-economic-package-as-inflation-weak- yen-bite.html 923 https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan-s-Kishida-to-announce-200bn-stimulus-plan-with-power-subsidy 924 https://apnews.com/article/shinzo-abe-inflation-japan-prices-assassinations-40333881cb1e02c87741fac3c17feb0e 925 https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221028_41/ 926 https://apnews.com/article/shinzo-abe-inflation-japan-prices-assassinations-40333881cb1e02c87741fac3c17feb0e 927 https://www.reuters.com/article/japan-economy-measures/japan-readies-48-billion-package-to-help-with-fuel-and- materials-cost-spikes-idUSKCN2MH06B 928 1. https://nordot.app/939898575951282176?c=445918389795193953 527 929 https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221028_41/ 930 https://apnews.com/article/shinzo-abe-inflation-japan-prices-assassinations-40333881cb1e02c87741fac3c17feb0e 931 https://alsaa.net/article/210840/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9- %D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%B5%D8%B5-25-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86 (expenditure, expenditure) 932 https://alrai.com/article/10739504/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%B5%D9%86%D8 %AF%D9%88%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A9- %D9%8A%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%81-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%81- %D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA- 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https://www.niusdiario.es/internacional/europa/kazajistan-prohibira-exportacion-azucar-guerra- ucrania_18_3329295102.html 943 https://www.euromeatnews.com/Article-Kazakhstan-bans-livestock-exports-to-stabilize-the-domestic-meat-market/5177 944 https://primeminister.kz/en/news/v-celyah-stabilizacii-cen-na-hleb-s-yanvarya-2022-goda-vvoditsya-subsidirovanie- stoimosti-zerna-minselhoz-120243 (duration) 945 https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9403920/kazakhstan-lifts-ban-on-potato-and-carrot-export-but-introduces-quotas 946 https://www.tridge.com/news/kazakhstan-lifts-ban-on-potato-and-carrot-exports- 947 https://min.news/en/world/d5d282663f1074ea8ddb6dba29481959.html (duration) 948 https://www.dw.com/en/kenya-will-pay-fuel-subsidies-to-offset-shortage-fears/a-61357640 949 https://www.africanews.com/2022/07/14/kenya-fuel-prices-for-july-to-remain-unchanged-after-fears-of-another- increase//#:~:text=The%20east%20African%20nation%20Kenya,rising%20prices%20in%20global%20market. 950 https://english.news.cn/20220616/fb6350e35ab1424794e5141c2523ca88/c.html 951 https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/expensive-fuel-looms-as-imf-drops-support-for-subsidy-3886832 952 https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/state-saves-sh9-4-billion-from-scrapped-fuel-subsidy-3950390 953 https://www.president.go.ke/2022/07/20/statement-by-h-e-hon-uhuru-kenyatta-cgh-president-of-the-republic-of-kenya- on-the-5th-stimulus-package-focusing-on-food-subsidies-on-wednesday-20th-july-2022-at-state-house-nairobi/ 954 https://www.foodbusinessafrica.com/kenyan-government-launches-ksh-8b-national-maize-flour-subsidy-programme/ (duration, expenditure) 955 https://kilimonews.co.ke/general-news/government-releases-subsidized-fertilizer/ (announcement date, initial exenditure); 956 https://www.president.go.ke/2022/07/20/statement-by-h-e-hon-uhuru-kenyatta-cgh-president-of-the-republic-of-kenya- on-the-5th-stimulus-package-focusing-on-food-subsidies-on-wednesday-20th-july-2022-at-state-house-nairobi/ (benefits of measures) 957 https://allafrica.com/stories/202209200398.html 958 https://www.president.go.ke/2022/07/20/statement-by-h-e-hon-uhuru-kenyatta-cgh-president-of-the-republic-of-kenya- on-the-5th-stimulus-package-focusing-on-food-subsidies-on-wednesday-20th-july-2022-at-state-house-nairobi/ 959 https://kosovotwopointzero.com/en/who-should-the-government-help/ 960 https://www.rtklive.com/sq/news-single.php?ID=616026 961 https://kosovotwopointzero.com/en/who-should-the-government-help/ 962 https://kosovotwopointzero.com/en/who-should-the-government-help/ 963 https://www.rtklive.com/sq/news-single.php?ID=616026 964 https://kosovotwopointzero.com/en/who-should-the-government-help/ 965 https://www.rtklive.com/sq/news-single.php?ID=616026 528 966 https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/kosovo-to-ban-certain-food-exports-amid-food-security-crisis/ 967 https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/3-kgs-of-chicken-per- person/#:~:text=KUWAIT%20CITY%2C%20May%2025%3A%20The,be%203%20kgs%20per%20person. 968 https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/18/economies-banning-food-exports-amid-rising-prices-inflation.html (end date and info on ban items) 969 https://www.skynewsarabia.com/business/1509320-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AA- %D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1- %D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%AA- %D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A9- %D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%A8 (more detail, announcement date) 970 https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/kuwait-to-ban-exporting-frozen-chicken-to-maintain-price-stability- minister (announcement date) 971 https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/18/economies-banning-food-exports-amid-rising-prices-inflation.html (end date and info on ban items) 972 WB operations 973 https://www.globaltradealert.org/intervention/102808/export-ban/kyrgyzstan-temporary-export-ban-on-certain-mineral- fertilizers 974 https://www.barrons.com/news/kyrgyzstan-follows-kazakhstan-with-six-month-sugar-export-ban-01654086307?tesla=y 975 https://www.apk-inform.com/en/news/1509325 976 http://m.oananews.org/news.php?id=625604 977 https://bnn-news.com/latvian-government-approves-additional-support-measures-for-households-and-businesses-238901 978 https://bnn-news.com/latvian-government-approves-additional-support-measures-for-households-and-businesses-238901 979 https://bnn-news.com/latvian-government-approves-additional-support-measures-for-households-and-businesses-238901 980 https://bnn-news.com/eur-200-benefit-for-families-with-children-in-latvia-questions-and-answers-232417 (duration, frequency, benefit size) 981 https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/IMF-Notes/Issues/2022/06/07/Fiscal-Policy-for-Mitigating-the-Social-Impact-of- High-Energy-and-Food-Prices-519013 (benefit size) 982 https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/latvia-plans-monthly-allowance-for-vulnerable-groups-this-winter.a468675/ 983 https://latvia.postsen.com/news/48618/Specific-support-measures-will-be-applied-to-low-income-residents-and-certain- social-groups.html 984 World Bank internal documents 985 https://www.apk-inform.com/en/news/1509325 986 https://www.gov.ls/government-intervenes-on-fuel-prices/ (expenditure, announcement, start and end date) 987 https://fews.net/southern-africa/lesotho/key-message-update/september- 2022#:~:text=The%20government%20of%20Lesotho%20is,engagement%20in%20the%20agricultural%20season. 988 https://allafrica.com/stories/202204040172.html 989 https://www.africanstar.org/government-of-liberia-issues-price-adjustment-for-gasoline-and-fuel-products-on-local- market/ 990 https://thenewdawnliberia.com/government-adjusts-gasoline-and-fuel-prices/ 991 https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/03/12/liberia-to-power-its-economy-through-improved-energy- access-and-job-creation; 992 https://frontpageafricaonline.com/business/economy/liberia-pres-weah-launches-economic-recovery-project-for- informal-sector/ 993 https://frontpageafricaonline.com/business/economy/liberia-pres-weah-launches-economic-recovery-project-for- informal-sector/ 994 WB operations. 995 https://frontpageafricaonline.com/business/economy/liberia-pres-weah-launches-economic-recovery-project-for- informal-sector/ 996 https://www.libyaherald.com/2022/03/libya-imposes-total-ban-on-fish-exports-and-orders-creation-of-three-month- strategic-food-stock/ 997 https://bnn-news.com/bnn-analyses-insane-heating-bills-startle-vilnius-residents-231790 (planned coverage, expenditure) 998 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices (actual coverage) 999 https://finmin.lrv.lt/en/news/the-eur-2-26-billion-package-presented-to-counter-the-effects-of-inflation-and-to- strengthen-energy-independence 529 1000 https://www.euronews.com/2022/09/07/lithuania-offers-a-large-support-package-on-energy-prices 1001 https://finmin.lrv.lt/en/news/the-eur-2-26-billion-package-presented-to-counter-the-effects-of-inflation-and-to- strengthen-energy-independence 1002 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1003 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1004 https://finmin.lrv.lt/en/news/the-eur-2-26-billion-package-presented-to-counter-the-effects-of-inflation-and-to- strengthen-energy-independence 1005 https://www.vatcalc.com/lithuania/lithuania-heating-vat-cut-to-5-proposal/ 1006 https://fiscalsolutions.co.uk/news/lithuania-extends-the-vat-rate-cut-on-hospitality-and-hotel-services/ 1007 https://www.macaubusiness.com/taxi-drivers-to-receive-one-off-fuel-and-energy-subsidy/ 1008 https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1638468-20220311.htm 1009 https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/firms-to-receive-mop20000-subsidy-for-each-local-hire.html 1010 https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20220406-madagascar-contre-les-envol%C3%A9es-des-prix-alimentaires-le-gouvernement- fixe-des-prix-plafonds 1011 https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/reunion/madagascar-le-gouvernement-bloque-les-prix-des-produits-indispensables- 1269804.html 1012 https://fr.africanews.com/2022/04/06/madagascar-plafonne-les-prix-de-certains-produits-contre-l-inflation// 1013 https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20220406-madagascar-contre-les-envol%C3%A9es-des-prix-alimentaires-le-gouvernement- fixe-des-prix-plafonds 1014 https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/reunion/madagascar-le-gouvernement-bloque-les-prix-des-produits-indispensables- 1269804.html 1015 https://fr.africanews.com/2022/04/06/madagascar-plafonne-les-prix-de-certains-produits-contre-l-inflation// 1016 WB internal source. 1017 WB operation and internal source 1018 WB operation and internal source 1019 WB operation and internal source 1020 WB operation and internal source 1021 https://allafrica.com/stories/202204060095.html 1022 https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/03/10/fuel-subsidies-likely-to-top-rm28bil-this-year-says- tengku-zafrul/ 1023 https://paultan.org/2022/03/17/malaysia-to-pay-rm28-billion-in-fuel-subsidy-in-2022-five-times-higher-than-rm5-3b- allocated-in-budget-2022/ 1024 https://www.lowyat.net/2022/280318/government-targeted-fuel-subsidy-pilot-e-wallets/ 1025 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-agriculture-ministry-expedite-subsidy-payment-chicken-breeders- supply-shortage-export-ban-2703566 1026 https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/11/04/subsidies-food-security-a-priority-for-next-govt-say- economists/ 1027 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-agriculture-ministry-expedite-subsidy-payment-chicken-breeders- supply-shortage-export-ban-2703566 1028 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-government-stop-subsidising-chicken-breeders-jul-1-pm-ismail-sabri- 2720686 1029 https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/10/09/chicken-egg-subsidies-extended-till-end-of-year/ 1030 https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/budget-2023-glance 1031 https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/budget-2023-glance 1032 https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/budget-2023-glance 1033 https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/budget-2023-glance 1034 https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/budget-2023-glance 1035 https://hrmasia.com/wage-subsidies-of-rm20-63-billion-disbursed-in-malaysia/ 1036 https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/in-food-protection-move-malaysia-bans-poultry-exports-to- ease-inflation-122052400281_1.html 1037 https://www.lejecom.com/Mali-456-milliards-FCFA-pour-le-financement-de-la-campagne-agricole-2022_a6318.html 1038 https://www.lejecom.com/Mali-456-milliards-FCFA-pour-le-financement-de-la-campagne-agricole-2022_a6318.html 1039 https://www.lejecom.com/Mali-456-milliards-FCFA-pour-le-financement-de-la-campagne-agricole-2022_a6318.html 1040 https://www.fao.org/giews/food-prices/food-policies/detail/en/c/1460608/ 530 1041 https://finance.gov.mt/23/Documents/Budget-2023-Diskors.pdf 1042 https://finance.gov.mt/23/Documents/Budget-2023-Diskors.pdf 1043 https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/nrp_2022_malta_en.pdf 1044 https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1244064/bdo-malta-budget-2023-key- highlights#:~:text=The%20Government%20has%20announced%20that,2022%20amounted%20to%20%E2%82%AC17%2 C796. 1045 https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1244064/bdo-malta-budget-2023-key- highlights#:~:text=The%20Government%20has%20announced%20that,2022%20amounted%20to%20%E2%82%AC17%2 C796. 1046 https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1244064/bdo-malta-budget-2023-key- highlights#:~:text=The%20Government%20has%20announced%20that,2022%20amounted%20to%20%E2%82%AC17%2 C796.; https://lovinmalta.com/news/christmas-cheque-vulnerable-peoeple-malta-bugdet-2023/ 1047 https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1244064/bdo-malta-budget-2023-key- highlights#:~:text=The%20Government%20has%20announced%20that,2022%20amounted%20to%20%E2%82%AC17%2 C796.; https://finance.gov.mt/23/Documents/Budget-2023-Diskors.pdf 1048 https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/pensioners-vulnerable-biggest-winners-budget-dominated-energy-crisis.989924 1049 https://finance.gov.mt/23/Documents/Budget-2023-Diskors.pdf 1050 https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1244064/bdo-malta-budget-2023-key- highlights#:~:text=The%20Government%20has%20announced%20that,2022%20amounted%20to%20%E2%82%AC17%2 C796.; https://finance.gov.mt/23/Documents/Budget-2023-Diskors.pdf 1051 https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1244064/bdo-malta-budget-2023-key- highlights#:~:text=The%20Government%20has%20announced%20that,2022%20amounted%20to%20%E2%82%AC17%2 C796.; https://lovinmalta.com/news/budget-2023-cola-increase-pensioners-cost-of-living/ 1052 https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1244064/bdo-malta-budget-2023-key- highlights#:~:text=The%20Government%20has%20announced%20that,2022%20amounted%20to%20%E2%82%AC17%2 C796. 1053 https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1244064/bdo-malta-budget-2023-key- highlights#:~:text=The%20Government%20has%20announced%20that,2022%20amounted%20to%20%E2%82%AC17%2 C796. 1054 https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1244064/bdo-malta-budget-2023-key- highlights#:~:text=The%20Government%20has%20announced%20that,2022%20amounted%20to%20%E2%82%AC17%2 C796. 1055 World Bank internal documents 1056 https://commerce.govmu.org/Communique/COMM_NEW_SUBSIDIES_29AP22.docx.pdf (offical link; vertical expansion; April 29, 2022). 1057 https://mauritiushindinews.com/wazaa-fm/cost-of-living-the-government-is-injecting-rs-150-million-to-subsidize-seven- basic-products-milk-oil-butter-etc/#:~:text=30%20Apr%202022,powdered%20milk%20and%20dried%20grains. (announcement date, expenditure, details, ended) 1058 https://mauritiushindinews.com/defimedia/end-of-subsidies-on-several-food-products-showdown-between-importers- and-the-government/ (ended) 1059 https://worldbankgroup.sharepoint.com/:x:/r/sites/Files5012/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B4D872342-C08F- 46AF-A772- FFC7620C4296%7D&file=Price%20shock%20SPJ%20response%20tracker_V3.xlsx&action=default&mobileredirect=true &cid=3eba0ba5-7bc8-4468-b55a-d76dac77690e (official link; iniital program); 1060 https://allafrica.com/stories/202203160090.html 1061 https://www.infobae.com/america/mexico/2022/10/03/cuales-son-las-nuevas-medidas-que-el-gobierno-implementara- ante-el-escabroso-aumento-de-precios/ 1062 https://quepasamedia.com/noticias/vida-y-estilo/bolsillo/gobierno-de-mexico-y-empresas-prometen-reducir-en-8-la- canasta-basica/ 1063 https://elpais.com/mexico/2022-03-11/mexico-confia-en-un-aumento-de-la-renta-petrolera-para-evitar-un- gasolinazo.html 1064 https://www.forbes.com.mx/gobierno-reduce-7-7-el-subsidio-a-la-gasolina-premium/ 531 1065 https://www.gob.mx/shcp/prensa/comunicado-no-16-el-gobierno-de-mexico-refrenda-y-fortalece-su-compromiso-para- que-los-precios-de-las-gasolinas-y-el-diesel-no-aumenten-mas-alla-de-la-inflacion-a-traves-de-la-publicacion-de-un- estimulo-complementario 1066 https://elpais.com/mexico/economia/2022-08-05/hacienda-recorta-el-subsidio-a-la-gasolina-premium-pero-lo-mantiene- al-100-en-combustible-regular.html 1067 https://elpais.com/mexico/economia/2022-08-05/hacienda-recorta-el-subsidio-a-la-gasolina-premium-pero-lo-mantiene- al-100-en-combustible-regular.html 1068 https://elpais.com/mexico/2022-03-11/mexico-confia-en-un-aumento-de-la-renta-petrolera-para-evitar-un- gasolinazo.html 1069 https://www.gob.mx/shcp/prensa/comunicado-no-16-el-gobierno-de-mexico-refrenda-y-fortalece-su-compromiso-para- que-los-precios-de-las-gasolinas-y-el-diesel-no-aumenten-mas-alla-de-la-inflacion-a-traves-de-la-publicacion-de-un- estimulo-complementario 1070 https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/empresas/Mexico-elimina-aranceles-a-alimentos-importados-para-combatir-la- inflacion-20220516-0021.html 1071 https://elpais.com/mexico/2022-05-04/el-gobierno-de-lopez-obrador-aumentara-la-produccion-de-granos-para-atajar-la- inflacion.html 1072 https://www.gob.mx/presidencia/prensa/acuerdo-contra-la-inflacion-reduce-8-precio-de-la-canasta-basica-presidente- lopez-obrador 1073 https://elpais.com/mexico/2022-10-06/las-claves-del-nuevo-plan-contra-la-inflacion-del-gobierno-de-lopez-obrador.html 1074 https://quepasamedia.com/noticias/vida-y-estilo/bolsillo/gobierno-de-mexico-y-empresas-prometen-reducir-en-8-la- canasta-basica/ 1075 https://elpais.com/mexico/economia/2022-10-08/los-focos-rojos-del-plan-contra-la-inflacion-de-lopez-obrador.html 1076 https://trm.md/en/radio-moldova-promo/marcel-spatari-60-din-populatie-va-primi-compensatia-maxima-la-energie2 1077 https://www.undp.org/moldova/press-releases/households-can-receive-compensations-energy-vulnerability-reduction- fund-through-governmental-program-ajutor-la-contor 1078 https://compensatii.gov.md/ro 1079 https://www.moldpres.md/en/news/2022/03/23/22002189 1080 https://www.apk-inform.com/en/news/1525364; https://ukragroconsult.com/en/news/moldova-lifts-ban-on-wheat-and- flour-exports/ (ended) 1081 https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/crna-gora-mjere-skupstina-gorivo- namirnice/31836339.html?msclkid=0773d21fd0a711ec8569ed3375c1c65e 1082 https://zakoni.skupstina.me/zakoni/web/app.php/akt/2790 1083 https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/crna-gora-mjere-skupstina-gorivo- namirnice/31836339.html?msclkid=0773d21fd0a711ec8569ed3375c1c65e 1084 https://zakoni.skupstina.me/zakoni/web/app.php/akt/2790 1085 https://zakoni.skupstina.me/zakoni/web/app.php/akt/2795 1086 https://zakoni.skupstina.me/zakoni/web/app.php/akt/2796 1087 https://klse.i3investor.com/web/blog/detail/kianweiaritcles/2022-06-10-story-h1624291706- Morocco_adopts_1_75_bln_USD_increase_in_food_fuel_subsidies 1088 https://klse.i3investor.com/web/blog/detail/kianweiaritcles/2022-06-10-story-h1624291706- Morocco_adopts_1_75_bln_USD_increase_in_food_fuel_subsidies 1089 https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/03/347686/morocco-to-curb-tomato-exports-ahead-of-ramadan 1090 https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/morocco-morocco-removes-import-duties-oilseeds-and- products#:~:text=On%20June%202%2C%202022%2C%20the,prices%20of%20various%20essential%20goods. 1091 https://furtherafrica.com/2022/07/01/mozambique-to-grant-subsidise-public-transport-passengers/ 1092 https://www.macaubusiness.com/mozambique-president-announces-measures-to-stimulate-economy-tax-cuts/ 1093 https://furtherafrica.com/2022/08/13/mozambiques-22-tax-cuts-among-20-measures-for-economic-acceleration/ 1094 https://allafrica.com/stories/202205300680.html 1095 https://allafrica.com/stories/202204290754.html 1096 https://neweralive.na/posts/cabinet-extends-fuel-levy- reduction#:~:text=Earlier%20this%20year%2C%20Cabinet%20approved,of%20Namibian%20fuel%20per%20litre. 1097 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1098 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 532 1099 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1100 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1101 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1102 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1103 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1104 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1105 https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2022/03/21/measures-to-cushion-impact-of-rising-energy-prices-and-inflation (benefit size) 1106 https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/energie-so-gehen-europaeische-laender-gegen-hohe-energiepreise-vor-dpa.urn- newsml-dpa-com-20090101-220425-99-31784 (benefit size) 1107 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1108 https://www.government.nl/topics/energy-crisis/how-do-i-apply-for-the-energy-allowance-in-nl 1109 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1110 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1111 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1112 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1113 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1114 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1115 https://www.observantonline.nl/english/Home/Articles/id/59235/government-comes-to-the-aid-of-students-living-away- from-home-in-2023 1116 https://think.ing.com/articles/the-netherlands-new-government-already-recalibrating-the-budget/ 1117 https://think.ing.com/articles/the-netherlands-new-government-already-recalibrating-the-budget/ 1118 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1119 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1120 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1121 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1122 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1123 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1124 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 2. 1125 https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/bulgaria-freezes-power-prices-households-until-end-march-2021-12-16/ 1126 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1127 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1128 https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/20/2023-dutch-budgets-impact-wallet-highlights-cabinets-plan 1129 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/14/new-zealand-halves-public-transport-fares-as-petrol-prices-soar-amid- russia-ukraine-war 1130 https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/17/new-zealand-extends-fuel-excise-duty-cut-until-end-jan-to-give-inflation-relief.html (extension) 1131 https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/new-zealand-hands-out-extra-cash-to-fight-inflation- storm/article65429213.ece 1132 https://www.telesurtv.net/news/nicaragua-asume-aumento-combustible-20220416-0016.html 1133 WB operation 1134 WB operation 1135 http://www.anp.ne/article/hausse-des-prix-au-niger-le-gouvernement-decide-d-une-baisse-de-la-taxe-douaniere-de-l 1136 https://www.studiokalangou.org/68898-gouvernement-nigerien-detaxe-prix-produits-premiere-necessite 1137 https://newsaf.cgtn.com/news/2022-03-16/Nigeria-to-tap-2-2-bln-eurobond-cash-local-funds-for-fuel-subsidy- 18qN4CaiTwk/index.html#:~:text=Nigeria%20plans%20to%20tap%202,country's%20Finance%20Minister%20Zainab%20 Ahmed. 1138 https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/n4trn-bill-how-petrol-subsidy-grew-by-349-42-in-3-years/ (extension) 1139 https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/524987-world-bank-urges-nigeria-to-rethink-fuel-subsidy-multiple- exchange-rates.html 1140 https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2022-09-25/nigerias-fuel-subsidies-surpassed-1-billion-in-aug-as-it- supplied-more-petrol 1141 WB operation 533 1142 https://finance.gov.mk/2022/07/11/besimi-supplementary-budget-supports-increase-of-pensions-wages-new-anti-crisis- measures-and-development-projects/?lang=en 1143 https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=1135&newsId=10340&furtherNews=yes 1144 https://finance.gov.mk/2022/07/11/besimi-supplementary-budget-supports-increase-of-pensions-wages-new-anti-crisis- measures-and-development-projects/?lang=en" 1145 https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=1135&newsId=10340&furtherNews=yes 1146 https://finance.gov.mk/2022/07/11/besimi-supplementary-budget-supports-increase-of-pensions-wages-new-anti-crisis- measures-and-development-projects/?lang=en 1147 https://seenews.com/news/n-macedonia-removes-vat-on-basic-foods-lowers-fuel-excise-duties-776402 1148 https://finance.gov.mk/2022/07/11/besimi-supplementary-budget-supports-increase-of-pensions-wages-new-anti-crisis- measures-and-development-projects/?lang=en 1149 https://finance.gov.mk/2022/07/11/besimi-supplementary-budget-supports-increase-of-pensions-wages-new-anti-crisis- measures-and-development-projects/?lang=en 1150 https://www.globaltradealert.org/intervention/101858/export-ban/north-macedonia-temporary-export-ban-for-wheat- corn-sunflower-seeds-and-oil-introduced (announcement date; extension; details); 1151 https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/macedonian-government-implements-measures-to-deal-with- economic-crisis/ (wheat extension until dec) 1152 https://seenews.com/news/n-macedonia-removes-vat-on-basic-foods-lowers-fuel-excise-duties-776402 1153 https://seenews.com/news/n-macedonia-removes-vat-on-basic-foods-lowers-fuel-excise-duties-776402 1154 https://seenews.com/news/n-macedonia-removes-vat-on-basic-foods-lowers-fuel-excise-duties-776402 1155 https://seenews.com/news/n-macedonia-removes-vat-on-basic-foods-lowers-fuel-excise-duties-776402 1156 https://www.intellinews.com/north-macedonia-adopts-400mn-package-to-ease-economic-crisis-caused-by-russian- ukrainian-conflict-237532/ 1157 https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2022-03-22/norway-government-proposes-extension-of-financial- support-to-help-households-cope-with-high-electricity-prices/ 1158 https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/government-launches-electricity-support-package-worth-billions/id2891839/ 1159 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1160 https://www.husbanken.no/english/housing-allowance/high-electricity-prices/" 1161 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1162 https://www.norden.org/en/info-norden/housing-allowance- norway#:~:text=Housing%20allowance%20is%20a%20state,housing%20of%20a%20good%20standard. 1163 https://www.thelocal.no/20221024/norwegian-government-secures-parliamentary-majority-for-new-crisis-support- measures/ 1164 https://www.husbanken.no/english/housing-allowance/high-electricity-prices/ 1165 https://www.thelocal.no/20221024/norway-to-give-students-1500-kroner-more-in-electricity-support-this-year/ 1166 https://www.zawya.com/en/markets/fuel-prices-for-january-announced-in-sultanate-of-oman-amjhmea7 (announcement date; end date); 1167 https://www.muscatdaily.com/2022/08/09/government-measures-insulate-oman-from-rising- inflation/;https://timesofoman.com/article/119884-state-budget-posts-omr-784m-surplus-by-end-of-first-half-of- 2022#:~:text=By%20the%20end%20of%20the%20first%20half%20of%202022%2C%20government,allocated%20for%20 basic%20food%20subsidy. (actual expenditure) 1168 https://timesofoman.com/article/119884-state-budget-posts-omr-784m-surplus-by-end-of-first-half-of- 2022#:~:text=By%20the%20end%20of%20the%20first%20half%20of%202022%2C%20government,allocated%20for%20 basic%20food%20subsidy. 1169 https://www.muscatdaily.com/2022/05/31/ministry-of-agriculture-offers-subsidies-to-wheat-farmers/ 1170 https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1116074/oman/his-majesty/more-food-items-added-to-zero-vat-list 1171 https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20220307/efdf7ce909514b3fa6022dd582cc3aa9/c.html 1172 https://pakobserver.net/flour-price-cuts-by-rs100-per-10kg-bag/ 1173 https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/pak-pm-sharif-announces-new-relief-package-for-low-income- segment-122052800368_1.html 1174 https://www.dawn.com/news/1695908 1175 https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/10/31/pm-announces-rs-1800-billion-agriculture-package-to-facilitate-farmers- in-getting-loans-inputs/ 534 1176 https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/10/31/pm-announces-rs-1800-billion-agriculture-package-to-facilitate-farmers- in-getting-loans-inputs/ 1177 https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/pak-pm-sharif-announces-new-relief-package-for-low-income- segment-122052800368_1.html 1178 https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/40020103 1179 https://www.dawn.com/news/1688798 1180 https://asianews.network/pakistan-set-to-lift-import-ban-on-luxury-items/ 1181 https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/panam%C3%A1-protestas_gobierno-de-panam%C3%A1-destina-200-millones-de- d%C3%B3lares-a-subsidio-del- combustible/47763100#:~:text=Ciudad%20de%20Panam%C3%A1%2C%2018%20jul,alto%20costo%20de%20la%20vida. 1182 https://www.vozdeamerica.com/a/panama-acuerdan-reducir-precios-alimentos/6673160.html 1183 1. https://www.bloomberglinea.com/2022/08/11/panama-reduce-en-30-el-precio-de-170-medicamentos-farmacias- advierten-su-cierre/ 1184 https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/mas-de-100-productos-bajan-de-precio-en-los-supermercados-con-el-plan-anua/ 2. https://www.ultimahora.com/plan-anua-mas-100-productos-la-canasta-basica-bajan-sus-precios-n3014677.html 1185 http://www.diputados.gov.py/index.php/noticias/proyectan-inclusion-de-nuevos-beneficiarios-al-programa-de-pension- alimentaria-para-adultos 2. https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/paraguay-econom%C3%ADa_bateria-de-medidas-sociales-en- paraguay-contra-los-precios-y-la-sequ%C3%ADa/47732264 1186 https://gestion.pe/economia/tarifas-electricas-recibo-de-luz-subsidio-de-castillo-a-tarifas-de-luz-sera-asumido-por- familias-pagan-entre-s-100-y-s-300-al-mes-nndc-noticia/ 1187 https://www.gob.pe/institucion/midis/noticias/640416-mas-de-un-millon-de-usuarios-de-programas-juntos-pension-65- y-contigo-recibiran-subvencion-adicional-extraordinaria 1188 https://www.gob.pe/institucion/midis/noticias/640416-mas-de-un-millon-de-usuarios-de-programas-juntos-pension-65- 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https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/7/5/marcos-fuel-subsidies-public-transport-drivers.html 1197 https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/global-fuel-subsidies-ramped-up-counter-energy-price-spike-2022-03-17/ 1198 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/08/26/%E2%82%A73-5-billion-subsidy-included-in-2023-gaa/ 1199 https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1935116/pampanga/local-news/central-luzon-farmers-get-p121-m-fuel-subsidy- from-da 1200 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1683020/fertilizer-subsidy-program-gets-p4-1-b-additional-funding 1201 https://www.dswd.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/MC-09-s.2022.pdf 1202 https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/global-fuel-subsidies-ramped-up-counter-energy-price-spike-2022-03-17/ 1203 https://globaldailymirror.com/Web/full_article/unemployment-falls-in-april22179 1204 https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1934117/manila/local-news/marcos-approves-continuity-of-fuel-subsidy-distribution 1205 https://www.gov.pl/web/premier/rzad-kontynuuje-wsparcie--dodatkowa-pomoc-dla-rolnikow-i-ochrona-dla-odbiorcow- gazu-przed-niekontrolowanym-wzrostem-cen-do-2027-r 1206 https://businessinsider-com-pl.translate.goog/gospodarka/tarcza-antyputinowska-z-akceptacja-ke-rolnicy-dostana- pieniadze/nc72bqh?_x_tr_sl=pl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc 1207 https://samorzad-infor-pl.translate.goog/wiadomosci/5475504,Wnioski-o-doplaty-do-nawozow-do-31-maja-2022-r- Biura-ARiMR-beda-czynne-do-ostatniego-wnioskodawcy.html?_x_tr_sl=pl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc 1208 https://www-infor-pl.translate.goog/prawo/prawa-konsumenta/prawa-konsumenta/5540317,Wakacje-kredytowe-od- kiedy-wniosek.html?_x_tr_sl=pl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc 535 1209 https://www-infor-pl.translate.goog/prawo/nowosci-prawne/5547875,Wakacje-kredytowe-2022-premier-Morawiecki- dla-kogo-ile-osob-moze-skorzystac-ile-skorzystalo.html?_x_tr_sl=pl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc (coverage) 1210 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https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/polish-government-to-freeze-gas-prices-for-households-and-hospitals-27185 1217 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1218 https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/poland-electric-power 1219 https://samorzad-infor-pl.translate.goog/sektor/zadania/srodowisko/5534509,program-Czyste-powietrze-Plus- prefinansowanie-zaliczka.html?_x_tr_sl=pl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc 1220 https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7784/Artykul/3045152,Polish-lawmakers-approve-cap-on-energy-prices 1221 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1222 https://dignitynews.eu/en/government-adopted-a-bill-to-freeze-electricity-prices/ 1223 https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7784/Artykul/3045152,Polish-lawmakers-approve-cap-on-energy-prices 1224 https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/national-policies-shield-consumers-rising-energy-prices 1225 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https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2022/07/05/minister-reports-high-demand-as-emiratis-apply-for-cost-of-living- subsidy/ 1498 https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2022/07/04/petrol-price-subsidy-part-of-dh28bn-cost-of-living-support-package- for-emiratis/ 1499 https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2022/07/05/minister-reports-high-demand-as-emiratis-apply-for-cost-of-living- subsidy/ 1500 https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2022/07/04/petrol-price-subsidy-part-of-dh28bn-cost-of-living-support-package- for-emiratis/ 1501 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/eustice-supporting-farmers-ahead-of-the-coming-growing-season 1502 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-statement-2022-documents/spring-statement-2022-html 1503 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-bills-support-scheme-explainer 1504 https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to- help-you-pay-your-energy- 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https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-statement-2022-documents/spring-statement-2022-html 1532 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-rebate-factsheet 1533 https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/02/some-households-could-get-up-to-p350-in-a-council-tax-to-deal- wi/ 1534 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-statement-2022-documents/spring-statement-2022-html 1535 https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62920969 1536 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-statement-2022-documents/spring-statement-2022-html 1537 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-statement-2022-documents/spring-statement-2022-html 1538 https://www.businessinsider.com/usda-cancel-farmer-debt-agriculture-inflation-reduction-act-money-finance-2022-10 1539 https://www.sentinelsource.com/state_news/new-hampshire-to-receive-110-million-for-energy-rebates-and-fuel- assistance/article_756c4800-4066-59c0-88d8-151c46142dcc.html 1540 https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/26/politics/state-gas-groceries-income-tax-relief-governors/index.html 1541 https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/26/politics/state-gas-groceries-income-tax-relief-governors/index.html 1542 https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/News---Press-Releases/2022/Latest-News/Fuels-Tax- Suspension#:~:text=Connecticut%20Motor%20vehicle%20fuels%20tax,term%20is%20defined%20in%20Conn. 1543 https://www.economist.com/united-states/2022/10/12/californias-inflation-relief-payouts-are-a-bad-idea 1544 https://www.wesh.com/article/450-checks-florida-families/40675822# 1545 https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1657 1546 https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-announces-one-time-back-school-payment-dc-families-receiving-tanf 1547 https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/rebates-and-economic-relief-payments/# 1548 https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Fall-relief-payments.pdf 1549 https://tax.idaho.gov/i-2082.cfm 1550 https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/26/politics/state-gas-groceries-income-tax-relief-governors/index.html 1551 https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/last-round-of-tax-rebate-checks-on-the-way-to-new-mexicans/ 1552 https://www.riograndecu.org/new-mexico-tax-rebates 1553 https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/new-mexico-stimulus-check/ 1554 https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/new-mexico-stimulus-check/ 1555 https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/last-round-of-tax-rebate-checks-on-the-way-to-new-mexicans/ 1556 https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.25129.html 1557 https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-lawmakers-pass-46b-budget-saturday-morning- bringing-tax-relief-to-residents/2803203/ 1558 https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-lawmakers-pass-46b-budget-saturday-morning- bringing-tax-relief-to-residents/2803203/ 1559 https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.25129.html 1560 https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-lawmakers-pass-46b-budget-saturday-morning- bringing-tax-relief-to-residents/2803203/ 1561 https://finance.delaware.gov/2022-delaware-relief-rebate-program/ 1562 https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=99311 1563 https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/colorado-cash-back-check-2022/ 1564 https://tax.colorado.gov/cash-back 1565 https://idahocapitalsun.com/2022/09/01/idaho-legislature-introduces-tax-cut-and-education-funding-bill-in-2022- special-session/ 1566 https://tax.idaho.gov/i-2082.cfm 544 1567 https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-hawaii-residents-to-start-receiving-tax- refunds-next-week/ 1568 https://tax.hawaii.gov/act-115-ref/ 1569 https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2022/september/name-939822-en.html 1570 https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/26/politics/state-gas-groceries-income-tax-relief-governors/index.html 1571 https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/News---Press-Releases/2022/Latest-News/Fuels-Tax- Suspension#:~:text=Connecticut%20Motor%20vehicle%20fuels%20tax,term%20is%20defined%20in%20Conn. 1572 https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/26/politics/state-gas-groceries-income-tax-relief-governors/index.html 1573 https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/26/politics/state-gas-groceries-income-tax-relief-governors/index.html. 1574 https://www.flgov.com/2022/05/06/governor-ron-desantis-signs-largest-tax-relief-package-in-floridas-history/ 1575 https://floridarevenue.com/MotorFuel/Pages/default.aspx#:~:text=The%20Florida%20Motor%20Fuel%20Tax,extends% 20through%20Monday%2C%20October%2031. 1576 https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/26/politics/state-gas-groceries-income-tax-relief-governors/index.html 1577 https://www.11alive.com/article/traffic/gas-prices/georgia-gas-tax-suspension-extended/85-c463e447-8a80-444c-b3f4- 917d123dd467 1578 https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-lawmakers-pass-46b-budget-saturday-morning- bringing-tax-relief-to-residents/2803203/ 1579 https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.25129.html 1580 https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.25129.html 1581 https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-lawmakers-pass-46b-budget-saturday-morning- bringing-tax-relief-to-residents/2803203/ 1582 https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-fy-2023-budget-investments-deliver-tax-relief-new- yorkers#:~:text=The%20New%20York%20City%20average,benefiting%20an%20estimated%20837%2C800%20recipients 1583 https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-industria-energia-mineria/comunicacion/noticias/combustibles-aumentan-debajo-precios- internacionales 1584 https://www.efe.com/efe/america/economia/el-precio-del-combustible-en-uruguay-aumenta-por-cuarto-mes- consecutivo/20000011-4795382 1585 https://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/politica/gobierno-medidas-sectores-vulnerables.html 1586 https://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/politica/gobierno-medidas-sectores-vulnerables.html 1587 https://ladiaria.com.uy/politica/articulo/2022/4/gobierno-aumentara-el-descuento-a-las-naftas-en-las-estaciones-de- servicio-de-la-frontera-con-argentina/ 1588 https://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/politica/gobierno-medidas-sectores-vulnerables.html 1589 https://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/politica/gobierno-medidas-sectores-vulnerables.html 1590 https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/56149/56149-001-rrp-en.pdf 1591 https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/56149/56149-001-rrp-en.pdf 1592 https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/56149/56149-001-rrp-en.pdf 1593 https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/56149/56149-001-rrp-en.pdf 1594 https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/56149/56149-001-rrp-en.pdf 1595 https://www.apk-inform.com/en/news/1527329 1596 https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/56149/56149-001-rrp-en.pdf 1597 https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/56149/56149-001-rrp-en.pdf 1598 https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1188823/govt-asked-to-raise-export-taxes-to-reduce-domestic-fertiliser- prices.htmlprices.html#:~:text=Việt%20Nam%20has%20so%20far,of%20natural%20resources%2C%20or%20minerals 1599 https://m.facebook.com/agriworthincubator/photos/5532210530143241/ 1600 https://www.lusakatimes.com/2022/07/28/government-urged-to-consider-reducing-further-value-added-tax-on-petrol- and-diesel/ 1601 https://www.lusakatimes.com/2022/06/16/government-extends-fuel-subsidies-for-another-three-months/ 1602 https://www.moe.gov.zm/?p=2646 1603 https://www.tralac.org/blog/article/15613-zimbabwe-s-latest-trade-policy-pronouncements-government-suspends- import-duties-and-removes-import-licenses-on-basic- commodities.html#:~:text=On%20the%2017th%20of%20May,on%20importation%20of%20basic%20commodities. 545 Social Protection & Jobs Discussion Paper Series Titles 2020-2022 No. Title 2215 Tracking Global Social Protection Responses to Inflation. Living paper v.4 by Ugo Gentilini, Mohamed Almenfi, Hrishikesh TMM Iyengar, Giorgia Valleriani, Yuko Okamura, Emilio Raul Urteaga, and Sheraz Aziz December 2022 2214 Childcare Arrangements for Low-Income Families: Evidence from Low- and Middle-Income Countries by Alisa Currimjee, Jem Heinzel-Nelson Alvarenga Lima, Sara Troiano December 2022 2213 Affordable childcare: A needs assessment of low-income mothers and childcare providers in urban Bangladesh by Fahmina Rahman, Anmol Kamra November 2022 2212 Guiding Social Protection Targeting Through Satellite Data in São Tomé and Príncipe by Peter Fisker, Jordi Gallego-Ayala, David Malmgren-Hansen, Thomas Pave Sohnesen, and Edmundo Murrugarra October 2022 2211 Tracking Global Social Protection Responses to Price Shocks (Living paper v.3) by Ugo Gentilini, Mohamed Almenfi, Hrishikesh TMM Iyengar, Yuko Okamura, Emilio Raul Urteaga, Giorgia Valleriani, and Sheraz Aziz September 2022 2210 Tracking Global Social Protection Responses to Price Shocks (Living paper v.2) by Ugo Gentilini, Mohamed Almenfi, Hrishikesh TMM Iyengar, Yuko Okamura, Emilio Raul Urteaga, Giorgia Valleriani, Jimmy Vulembera Muhindo, and Sheraz Aziz July 2022 2209 Tracking Social Protection Responses to Displacement in Ukraine and Other Countries by Ugo Gentilini, Mohamed Almenfi, Hrishikesh TMM Iyengar, Yuko Okamura, Emilio Raul Urteaga, Giorgia Valleriani, Jimmy Vulembera Muhindo, and Sheraz Aziz June 2022 2208 Tracking Global Social Protection Responses to Price Shocks (Version 1) by Ugo Gentilini, Mohamed Almenfi, Hrishikesh TMM Iyengar, Yuko Okamura, Emilio Raul Urteaga, Giorgia Valleriani, Jimmy Vulembera Muhindo and Sheraz Aziz April 2022 2207 Adapting Social Protection to FCV and Insecurity - The Case of the Democratic Republic of Congo by Silvia Fuselli, Mira Saidi, Afrah Alawi Al-Ahmadi April 2022 2206 Voluntary Savings Schemes to Protect Informal Workers in Jordan by Friederike Rother, Carole Chartouni, Javier Sanchez-Reaza, Ernesto Brodersohn, Montserrat Pallares- Miralles April 2022 2205 Enhancing Workers’ Protection in Jordan by Friederike Rother, Carole Chartouni, Javier Sanchez-Reaza, Gustavo Paez Salamanca, Belal Fallah April 2022 2204 Humanitarian and Social Protection Linkages with Examples from South Asia by Steen Lau Jorgensen and Maria Virginia Ceretti April 2022 2203 Cash in the City: The Case of Port-au-Prince by Olivia D’Aoust, Julius Gunneman, Karishma V. Patel and Caroline Tassot March 2022 2202 Tracing Labor Market Outcomes of Technical and Vocational Training Graduates in Saudi Arabia: A study on graduates from the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) by Nayib Rivera, Mehtabul Azam and Mohamed Ihsan Ajwad January 2022 2201 From Protracted Humanitarian Relief to State-led Social Safety Net System: Somalia Baxnaano Program by Afrah Al-Ahmadi and Giuseppe Zampaglione January 2022 2110 Early Lessons from Social Protection and Jobs Response to COVID-19 In Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Countries by Alex Kamurase and Emma Willenborg December 2021 2109 Migration in Bulgaria: Current Challenges and Opportunities by Daniel Garrote-Sanchez, Janis Kreuder, and Mauro Testaverde December 2021 2108 Social Protection and Labor: A Key Enabler for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation by Jamele Rigolini December 2021 2107 Intent to Implementation: Tracking India’s Social Protection Response to COVID-19 by Shrayana Bhattacharya and Sutirtha Sinha Roy June 2021 2106 Social Assistance Programs and Household Welfare in Eswatini by Dhushyanth Raju and Stephen D. 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C. Thomas, Victoria C. P. Knowland, Cathy Rogers January 2020 To view Social Protection & Jobs Discussion Papers published prior to 2020, please visit www.worldbank.org/sp. ABSTRACT Between September and December 2022, the number of social protection and other related measures announced or implemented in response to inflation rose by about 67%. The latest tally includes 1,016 responses across 170 economies. Overall, subsidies claim 34% of such measures and take four main forms (fuel, food, fertilizers, and various fee subsidies). Social assistance accounts for 29% of responses, 78% of which is provided in the form of cash transfers. Tax and trade-related measures represent 21% and 6% of global responses, respectively. Active labor market policies and social insurance claim a share of 5% each. Based on coverage data from 93 countries, social protection programs cover or are planning to cover 1.05 billion people (or about 13.5% of the world’s population). Similarly, based on expenditure data from 382 programs across 125 economies, a total of $710.6 billion is being invested in social protection responses. This involves an average country spending of 0.74% of its GDP. The average size of both social assistance and subsidy transfers represents about a quarter of the daily median income, while their average duration is 4.7 months. Over half of social assistance transfers are new (53%) and are provided on a one-off basis (51%). ABOUT THIS SERIES Social Protection & Jobs Discussion Papers are published to communicate the results of The World Bank’s work to the development community with the least possible delay. This paper therefore has not been prepared in accordance with the procedures appropriate for formally edited texts. For more information, please contact the Social Protection Advisory Service via e-mail: socialprotection@ worldbank.org or visit us on-line at www.worldbank.org/sp