Duration to coverage : dynamics of access to social security in the Egyptian labor market in the 1998-2012 period

Abstract EN

This paper investigates the dynamics of having access to social insurance (SI) coverage on the Egyptian labor market among wage workers throughout 1998 to 2012.

Using three rich nationally representative Egyptian labor market surveys conducted in 1998, 2006, and 2012, the paper explores the individual and firm-level characteristics of private sector wage workers who are enrolled in the SI system.

Also, the paper studies how long it takes to have access to SI coverage.

Findings show that, during the 2006-2012 period, access to wage employment with SI coverage has slightly declined in the public sector but appeared to be stalled in the private sector.

Acquiring social insurance coverage in the private sector does not often come at first entry ; gaining such access takes time.

The share of private sector wage workers with no social insurance is highest among new entrants, followed by those having 5 years of experience, and lowest among those with at least 10 years of working experience.