Research and analysis

Sources of wellbeing data

Examples of surveys (apart from those done by the Office for National Statistics) that collect wellbeing data and can be used for policy analysis.

Documents

Details

Subjective wellbeing (SWB) is one of a broad set of measures that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have developed as part of an emerging measurement framework for national wellbeing. In April 2011, ONS introduced 4 subjective wellbeing (SWB) questions on its largest household survey, the Annual Population Survey (APS).

While new APS data is being collected it is important to note that there are other sources of SWB data that can be used for policy analysis. These can complement the APS data in a number of ways, but most usefully because questions are asked in surveys that are focused on specific policy areas such as crime, health and the environment.

Published 31 July 2013