Social Assistance Market Report 2026

The social assistance market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.77 trillion in 2025 to $1.87 trillion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of government welfare programs, rising poverty and income inequality levels, increased public spending on social protection, growth of community-based assistance initiatives, development of structured social safety nets.

The social assistance market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.39 trillion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of digital welfare platforms, rising focus on inclusive social policies, expansion of public-private collaboration models, growing demand for real-time beneficiary monitoring, increasing emphasis on impact measurement and reporting. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing digitization of social benefit delivery systems, rising use of data-driven targeting for aid distribution, expansion of integrated social support programs, growing focus on outcome-based welfare models, enhanced transparency and accountability in assistance programs.

The increasing geriatric population is expected to drive the growth of the social assistance market in the coming years. The geriatric population refers to individuals aged 65 or older. As this demographic expands, the demand for social assistance services, such as home healthcare and nursing homes, is anticipated to grow, as these services provide essential medical care and support for elderly individuals in their homes. For example, in January 2023, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, a U.S.-based think tank of the UN, projected that the global population of people aged 65 or older will more than double, rising from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion by 2050. Additionally, the population of individuals aged 80 and above is expected to grow at an even faster rate. As a result, the rise in the geriatric population is driving the demand for social assistance services.

Governments worldwide are increasingly focused on launching social assistance programs to improve public welfare. These programs aim to provide financial support to individuals and families in need, ensuring a minimum level of income for those living in poverty. For example, in July 2023, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), a U.S.-based humanitarian organization, introduced a new comprehensive social protection system in the Sultanate of Oman. This initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040, the 10th Five-Year Development Plan, and the sustainable development goals. The implementation of this system represents a significant shift towards a more integrated and holistic approach to social protection.

In January 2024, Acentra Health, a U.S.-based provider of clinical services and technology solutions, acquired EAP Consultants LLC for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to enhance Acentra Health's leadership in employee wellness and support mental health initiatives within the workplace. EAP Consultants LLC is a U.S.-based provider of social assistance services, including employee assistance programs (EAP).

Major companies operating in the social assistance market are United Nations World Food Programme, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The Salvation Army, Catholic Relief Services, Oxfam International, Save the Children, CARE International, World Vision International, Action Against Hunger, Mercy Corps, Plan International, International Rescue Committee, United Way Worldwide, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity International, Goodwill Industries International, SOS Children's Villages International, HelpAge International, BRAC.

Western Europe was the largest region in the social assistance market in 2025. Asia-Pacific was the second-largest region in the social assistance market. The regions covered in the social assistance market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the social assistance market report are China, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, South Korea, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa.

The social assistance market consists of revenues earned by entities that provides social assistance services such as community food housing and relief services, vocational rehabilitation services and individual and family services. Social assistance establishments do not include residential or accommodation services, except on a short-day basis stay. This market includes both government sponsored and privately funded social assistance services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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