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Back to Different types of data

Cross-national survey data

Access to collections of cross-national survey data

Cross-national surveys typically refer to studies where the same survey instrument and, where practical, methods and fieldwork protocols are used across many nations.

The UK Data Service holds a number of surveys of this type and points users to where they can access other key cross-national surveys online. Below is a list of some of the key studies that provide cross-national survey data.

The Eurobarometer (EB) Survey series is a programme of cross-national and cross-temporal comparative social research conducted on behalf of the European Commission and is designed to monitor social and political attitudes.

Access the Eurobarometer Survey.

The European Company Survey (ECS) (formerly the Establishment Survey on Working Time and Work-Life Balance (ESWT)) aims to map working time policies and practices at the level of the establishment in the European Union and to survey the views of the different actors at establishment level on these policies and practices.

Access the European Company Survey.

European Election Studies (EES) have taken place for six of the seven European parliamentary elections held since 1979, with the exception of 1984. The format for each EES is a core survey, which maintains comparability over time, and a thematic module, chosen for its pertinence to the election.

Access the European Election Study.

The European Quality of Life Survey is a pan-European survey that examines a range of issues, such as employment, income, education, housing, family, health, work-life balance, life satisfaction and perceived quality of society.

Access the European Quality of Life Survey.

The European Social Survey (ESS) is a biennial multi-country survey covering over 30 nations. Its aim is to measure and explain trends in attitudes, beliefs and values across countries in Europe and its close neighbours.

Access the European Social Survey.

The European Values Study and World Values Survey series are designed to enable a cross-national, cross-cultural comparison of values and norms on a wide variety of topics and to monitor changes in values and attitudes across the globe. The surveys provide data from representative national samples of the publics of more than 90 countries and cover a full range of social, economic, cultural and religious variation.

Access the European Values Study.

The European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) provides an overview on the state of working conditions throughout Europe, as well as indicating the nature and content of changes affecting the workforce and the quality of work.

Access the European Working Conditions Survey.

The International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) is a continuing annual programme of cross-national collaboration on surveys covering topics important for social science research. Every survey includes questions about general attitudes toward various social issues such as the legal system, gender, and the economy.

Access the International Social Survey Programme.

The Young Lives study, which began in 2002, is an innovative long-term project investigating the changing nature of childhood poverty in four developing countries: Ethiopia, India (in the Andhra Pradesh state), Peru and Vietnam.

Access the Young Lives: an International Study of Childhood Poverty.

Browse our case studies to find case studies related to the use of cross-national survey data.

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Cookies that measure website use

Cross-national survey data

Access to collections of cross-national survey data

Eurobarometer Surveys

European Company Survey

European Election Study

European Quality of Life Survey

European Social Survey

European and World Values Studies

European Working Conditions Survey

International Social Survey Programme

Young Lives: an International Study of Childhood Poverty

Case studies

More help in 'Different types of data'