Economic infrastructure and social infrastructure are the two categories of infrastructure.
Economic infrastructure refers to all such elements of economic change which serve as a foundation for economic growth. For example, adequate supply of power to increase the production level, means of transport to distribute goods from producers to consumers and movement of goods from the place of goods in abundance to the place of goods in scarce. So, an economy can have an efficient system through proper economic infrastructure facilities. These facilities increase the standard of living of the people and pick up the pace in the process of growth.
Social infrastructure refers to the main elements of social change which serve as a base for social development of a country. It contributes to economic processes indirectly and from outside the systems of production and distribution. For example, hospitals, educational institutions, sanitary conditions and housing facilities provide the scope for development of skilled personnel and efficient resources. These facilities increase the quality of life of the people and pick up the pace in human development.
However, these elements of change in economic infrastructure will be useful only if an economy has an educated and healthy population. This emphasizes the importance of elements of change in social infrastructure along with changes in economic infrastructure. It is clear that these two categories of infrastructure are combined in growth and development of an economy. Hence, they both are interdependent.