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Social Analysis Tools

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Background

Social analysis is conducted for all ADB-assisted programs and projects in its developing member countries. This includes regional country partnership strategies, country partnership strategies, and programs, projects, and other investment interventions, be it public or private sector.

The purposes of social analysis are to:

• understand the socioeconomic and institutional context for the subregional and country assistance, program or project
• consider the appropriateness and feasibility of the programs or projects
• assess the potential positive and negative social impacts of the program or project
• identify possible actions (including law or policy changes, or specific project activities) to maximize the positive social impacts of the program or project, and minimize any negative impacts

Through incorporation of social analysis and social development strategies and actions into its various assistance in its developing member countries, ADB seeks to contribute to:

• greater inclusiveness and equity in access to services, resources, and opportunities
• greater empowerment of poor and marginalized groups to participate in social, economic, and political life
• greater security to cope with chronic or sudden risks, especially for poor and marginalized groups

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to social analysis, in general, an ADB social analysis comprises the following dimensions:

• Assessment of socioeconomic issues and conditions – e.g., social, institutional and policy context that influence patterns of social exclusion and inequality; stakeholder profiles and their needs, demands, capacity, and constraints
• Assessment of social impacts of policies and interventions
• Identification of opportunities for maximizing positive social and poverty reduction benefits and minimizing and mitigating negative social impacts
• Determination of policy and program measures, implementation arrangements and monitoring indicators to address key social concerns

In ADB operations, the following key social dimensions are considered:

• Consultation and participation
• Gender
• Involuntary resettlement
• Indigenous peoples
• Labor (core labor standards and employment opportunities)
• Other risks and vulnerabilities (e.g., other social exclusions such as race/ethnicity/caste, disability, age, lack of legal identify, conflict, political instability, exposure to natural calamities, HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases, human trafficking, etc.)

See ADB’s social development website to understand these social dimensions.

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