This report explores the social impact of the great recession and warns of the possibility of continuing global social crisis in the face of increasing fiscal consolidation and austerity measures, which threaten the sustainability of a recovery. The effects of the financial and economic crisis on social progress have been sharp, widespread, and deep. Given the fragility of the economic recovery and uneven progress in major economies, social conditions are expected to recover slowly. Increased poverty, hunger and unemployment due to the crisis will continue to affect billions of people in many developed and developing countries for years to come. Austerity measures in response to high government debt in some advanced economies are not only threatening public sector employment and social expenditure, but are also making the recovery more uncertain and fragile.