This paper is structured into five sections. Following the brief introduction, Section 2 of this paper presents the ILO/RAP methodology for assessing the cost and estimating the financing gap for the social protection benefits and reforms in Timor-Leste. Section 3 provides the results of the ILO/RAP model, describing the projected costs of social protection existing benefits and reforms, as well as their effect on the extension of coverage. It also discusses the cost implications of full implementation under different reform scenarios. Section 4 presents the financing gap driven from the extension of social protection coverage to universal levels. Finally, Section 5 summarizes the key findings and provides policy recommendations to help close the financing gap and strengthen the sustainability of the social protection system in Timor-Leste.
