Economic output has begun a recovery everywhere, but employment and wages have not

Most people want to protect social spending, even where support for reducing fiscal gaps is strong

Employment perspectives of youth and low-skilled deteriorated sharply during the crisis

Public-sector jobs were often more secure despite consolidation efforts

Very large increases in the number of workless households are a major test for social policies

Recessions widen income gaps, and recoveries often fail to close them

Growing numbers of people feel they cannot afford food

Crisis exposure and policy shape key social outcomes

Social spending keeps rising in real terms, but has stabilised as a share of GDP

Social spending increased least in countries most affected by the crisis

Spending on working-age cash transfers rose steeply

Unemployment benefit amounts changed little, but durations were extended substantially in some countries

More people receive unemployment benefit, but receipt of inactive benefits has largely remained stable

Rising social spending and social needs, but decreasing fiscal space

Fiscal pressures will persist well into the next decade

Social transfers are more often part of consolidation plans than other areas of public spending

Stronger automatic stabilisers were crucial in limiting income losses among the poorest

When social transfers are highly targeted, spending cuts are more likely to hurt the poor

Women's employment greatly improves families' resilience to economic shocks

A working partner makes family incomes more resilient to income losses

Budget deficits after the initial downturn: role played by changes in transfers and revenues