Abstract: Social science and technology awards occupies a significant position in the S&T award system. Our early studies have shown that social S&T awards with higher reputation and wider influence are mostly established in developed countries. Therefore, as a comparative study of government S&T award system, we focus on the social S&T award system in developed countries. First of all, we select a total of 27 representative social S&T awards from 5 major developed countries, and we analyze the main characteristics from the following research dimensions: field-oriented, reward form, assessment criteria, and selection process. Then, the above analysis shows that the historical accumulation and influence of social S&T awards coexist in the major developed countries, but there are differences. Finally, on the basis of an overview of the development of Chinese social S&T awards, we try to put forward several enlightenment and suggestions on how to improve the social S&T award system in China by reasonably drawing on the advantages in developed countries, and combining with China's national conditions and reality.