This volume investigates the efficacy of the Social Development Index as a comprehensive framework for evaluating the progress and remaining challenges within Hong Kong's societal infrastructure. Edited by Richard J. Estes, the text compiles research from local specialists to analyze how the region has addressed systemic needs across various sectors. By applying a standardized measurement model, the contributors provide a quantitative and qualitative assessment of Hong Kong's developmental trajectory and its capacity to support vulnerable populations.

Experts recognize this volume as a foundational resource for understanding the intersection of policy and social welfare in Hong Kong. Scholars frequently cite the text for its rigorous application of the Social Development Index to complex urban environments.