---
title: "Gap Analysis"
slug: "gap-analysis"
updated: 2026-02-26T13:49:26Z
published: 2026-02-26T13:49:26Z
canonical: "vamresources.manuals.wfp.org/gap-analysis"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://vamresources.manuals.wfp.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Gap Analysis

A gap analysis measures the distance between the cost of households’ essential needs and their economic capacity to autonomously cover those costs. This can be used to determine the ration size or transfer value in a humanitarian response with General Food Assistance (GFA) and Unconditional Resource Transfers (URT) programmes.

**Resources**

**Gap Analysis to Inform In-Kind Food Rations**

The gap analysis in operations providing in-kind food rations will help agencies determine the appropriate ration size.

Read the [detailed guidance](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000169376/download/) explaining the required steps for the analysis.

**Gap Analysis to Inform Transfer Values of CBT Operations**

Conducting a gap analysis in cash-based transfer operations will help determine the transfer value needed.

Read the [detailed guidance](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000152952/download/) and a [presentation](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000154268/download/) explaining the required steps for the analysis.

**Scripts**

- [SPSS](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/main/Analysis/Gap-analysis/Gap_Analysis_Example.sps)
- [STATA](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/main/Analysis/Gap-analysis/Gap_Analysis_Example.do)
- [R](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/main/Analysis/Gap-analysis/Gap_Analysis_Example_tidyverse.R)

A [sample dataset](https://wfp.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/HQEssentialNeedsCoordinationGroup/EaA9HkJvWdBIgL9yq7hrg5gBa5xT5ZQSVxETRhFEVB0uAA?e=JBcjgs) is also available on [GitHub](https://github.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/tree/main/Indicators/Livelihood-Coping-Strategies-FS) for training and analysis.

For more information, please contact the Assessments and Targeting Unit or the Economic & Markets Unit in HQ VAM at [global.assessmentandtargeting@wfp.org](mailto:global.assessmentandtargeting@wfp.org).