Study of the present and potential use of socio-economic indicators in planning

Abstract

In the economic literature of the last 20 years the question of socio-economic indicators has occupied a relatively important place. As a new idea, it has been surrounded by the traditional aura of confusion and misunderstanding which often accompanies such ideas as they; make their way in the world of social science. If we read the economic literature and the reports and resolutions of international meetings on this subject, we shall see that there are several possible interpretations of the concept of socio-economic indicators. In this, document we do not intend to become involved in this debate. However, it may be said that a consensus is emerging to the effect that a socioeconomic indicator (SEl) may be defined as the best possible statistic, or statistical function, chosen to measure the state and evolution of a complex socio-economic phenomenon.