Social investment in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Lithuania
ENThe article is aimed at analysing the social investment policy in Lithuania during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social investment within a new paradigm of welfare state emphasizes the contribution to human capital together with income protection. Social investment must ensure better life prospects during its course. This research is based on the theoretical conceptual approach of A. Hemerijck (2017) and J. Kvist (2014), a meta-analysis of studies conducted during the pandemic and a secondary analysis of quantitative data of the Lithuanian Department of Statistics, State Social Insurance Fund Board, the Employment Service and the Institute of Hygiene for the period 2018-2021. Results of this study have revealed that during the pandemic the at-risk-of-poverty rate remains among vulnerable groups: pensioners, unemployed persons, large families, and single parents. In the area of reconciliation of the personal life and work, women have encountered challenges combining work obligations and care of their minor children. The social investment was inefficient for pupils and students with low socioeconomic status due to their limited access to quality education. The scope of the active labour market policies, especially those of training, significantly decreased preventing unemployed individuals from acquiring skills necessary to return to the labour market. The health care capacities were directed towards the treatment of individuals infected with the coronavirus and the vaccination, while other services were suspended or restricted, and, therefore, the preventive health care of labour force reduced. Key words: social investment, income protection, human capital, Lithuania. [From the publication]
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