What is social capital?

As central and local governments search for new ways to tackle societal challenges, including disparities in educational achievement, slow economic growth, and low productivity, it’s time to take a closer look at the role of social capital and its importance for community wellbeing.

What is social capital?

Social capital refers to the support and resources available to individuals and communities through their social networks. Strong social capital is essential to maintaining successful societies – it is developed and strengthened through engaging at the hyperlocal level, in our neighbourhoods and with our neighbours.

Social capital is both a determinant and outcome of social infrastructure – they are mutually reinforcing.

People interact via their local social infrastructure, such as community spaces and places, as well as online digital connections. This generates bonding and bridging forms of social capital, which then feed back into reinforcing and strengthening social infrastructure and overall cohesion.