Socio-Economic Panel, dataset of the population in Germany
The Socio-Economic Panel is a long-term research study that has been running since 1984 and surveys about 30,000 people from roughly 20,000 households each year about their lives. The survey covers topics such as employment, income, family, health, and education, and is conducted by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin).
The study began in 1984 as a West German survey and was expanded after reunification to include East Germany. Since then, new population groups have been added, including migrants and refugees, to reflect the changing society.
The survey uses the name 'Living in Germany' to help respondents understand what they are participating in and to keep the process simple. The questions reflect how people experience daily life and show what matters to families across the country in their work, relationships, health, and personal satisfaction.
The panel's data is accessible to researchers worldwide but is strictly protected to safeguard participant privacy. Survey methods include paper forms and digital approaches to reach different groups and adapt to technological changes.
The panel tracks the same households year after year, making it possible to observe how individual lives change over decades. This continuity reveals how economic shifts or legal changes directly affect people's daily experiences.
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