This paper is an overview of the imbalance of economic and social development in
ASEAN. Social development must be viewed as an end in itself and not just a means for
attaining economic growth. Growing socioeconomic inequality often triggers crime
and political and civil unrest. It discusses the evolution of socio-economic imbalances
in ASEAN. Then it analyzes the causes of the imbalance and the policy and actions
taken by ASEAN countries