Inclusive growth and inclusive development: a review and synthesis of Asian Development Bank literature

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has relatively few but well-founded and relevant studies, reports and publications on inclusive growth, inclusive development, or inclusive social development. This paper seeks to summarize the knowledge products obtained from existing ADB studies, statements and initiatives. It draws from the research and analytic work undertaken in the recent years by ADB's Economics and Research Department, the East Asia Regional Department and the Operations Evaluation Department, and other sources. One of the findings is that while there is no agreed and common definition of inclusive growth or inclusive development, the term is understood to refer to ‘growth coupled with equal opportunities’, and consisting of economic, social and institutional dimensions. Among the major recommendations of the ADB literature are that efforts to achieve inclusive growth and inclusive development should involve a combination of mutually reinforcing measures including: (1) promoting efficient and sustainable economic growth, (2) ensuring a level political playing field and (3) strengthening capacities and providing for social safety nets.