SummaryThis lecture deals with a general view on forecasting and planning with special emphasis on the application in less developed countries.After some introductory remarks attention is paid to the evaluation of the results of forecasting by means of statistical methods in comparing forecasts and realization.The paper gives some outlook on the general features of planning in the less developed countries. Special attention is drawn to a rather new aspect of the matter: the importance of non‐economic factors which may have great influence on the process of development. Thorough investigation in this field seems necessary as it may contribute to a better planning and to more efficient activities in these countrie