C. Improvements in the data base and in analytic techniques ..................... ·. . . . . . . . . . . 30 D. Organizational requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 E. General observations and recommendations 32 ANNEXES List of discussion papers submitted to the Expert Group ......................... ........... . "Social indicators: definition, purposes and develop- ment" by Hakchung Choo ............ ........ . . (ii) 34 35 I. ~NTRODUCTION A. BACKGROUND 1. The Expert Group Meeting on Measuring the Social Impact of Population Trends and Development was held at Manila, Philippines, from 3 to 9 October 1978. It was organized jointly by the United Nations· Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the· Pacific (ESCAP) and the Population Center Foundation of the Philippines (PCF) with the financial support of the United Nations·Fund for Popu­ lation Activities (UNFPA). 2. Few countries in Asia and the Pacific have a comprehensive framework -for measuring the results and benefits of their develop­ ment plans. A framework of social indicators and their application is . necessary in the formulation of development policies and the evalua­ tion of their impact. The purpose of the Meeting was ultimately to assist member countries in formulating population and social welfare policies and programmes which would contribute more fully to the well-being of the people by improving the development and applica­ tion of measures of the components of social welfare and its distribu­ tion. 3. Current measures of development concentrate heavily on econo­ mic goals. They should be expanded to include assessment of progress with respect to other national goals. A comprehensive framework of social indicators should therefore measure such aspects of the welfare of the population as the distribution of income, consumption and 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a meeting of experts focused on measuring the social impact of population trends and development, with a goal of formulating population and social welfare policies that improve the well-being of the people. The discussion mentions the importance of expanding measures of development to include non-economic goals and the need for a comprehensive framework of social indicators. This suggests that the text is focused on issues related to social welfare and development.

**Category**
Education, Health