Comparative study on disability benefits to support recommendations for Angola

The National Social Security Institute of Angola (INSS) is considering introducing three benefits into its social security system that are not yet fully covered: disability, sickness, and unemployment benefits, with the first of these being the subject of this report. During the course of this study, Presidential Decree No. 15/25 of 29 January 2025 was adopted, establishing the Legal Regime for Protection in Cases of Absolute Invalidity Resulting from Non-Occupational Causes under Compulsory Social Protection.

To support this initiative, the ILO, through the European Union (EU) funded project “Extending Social Security to Support the Formalisation of the Angolan Economy” (ESSAFE Angola), carried out a comparative study to examine best practices, in the light of international social security standards, and lessons learned in similar countries.

More specifically, the comparative study on disability benefits was intended to support recommendations for Angola by:

• identifying countries with social security systems and socio-economic contexts similar to those of Angola – Brazil, Cabo Verde, Mozambique, Portugal and Thailand were selected – and analysing the design, structure and effectiveness of their disability benefits in comparison with the requirements of international social security standards;
• discussing the feasibility and relevance of different policy options and implementation strategies for Angola; and
• presenting recommendations on the feasibility, relevance and key features of disability benefits in the socio-economic context of Angola.