The Landscape of Microinsurance 2021 found that between 179 and 377 million people were covered by a microinsurance product in the 30 countries covered. This is estimated to represent between 6% and 14% of the target population of the countries studied. COVID-19 had an important impact on insurers in 2021, with a heightened awareness of risk but reduced spending power among customers, as well as operational constraints for insurers and their partners.

Just like climate change-related risks, this study shows that plastic pollution risks can affect insurance and investment portfolios in the form of physical, transition, liability and reputational risks. Risks ranging from threats to human health to evolving liability claims connected to marine litter and plastic pollution should be actively addressed by insurers.