GGS - Round II

GGS-II data is available for download in the GGP User Space upon registration and completing the application procedure. Access to one of the GGS-II datasets provides immediate access to other GGS-II countries after submitting a data access request.The data is available in different formats: .dta, .sav, and .xlxs.The dataset of each country is processed in such a way that it is harmonized with the other GGS-II datasets to reduce the need for users to post-harmonize the data. As such, it is possible to append all country data for a cross-country comparison.The datasets are prepared based on the baseline questionnaire 3.1. That means that in countries that fielded an earlier version of the questionnaire (e.g., Norway) where additional variables are still included, the variables are coded as country-specific. This ensures harmonization between countries.The variables contain the labels and response options as in the baseline questionnaire. The full question is also stored within the variable.The GGS-II documentation is available online on the GGP Colectica Portal https://ggp.colectica.org/It contains:

• description of the fieldwork
• questionnaire in the national language
• codebook
• country-specific deviations from the baseline questionnaire

Any country-specific deviations are systematically coded using four digits-long country codes. The variable “country” provides an overview of the country codes.

Country-specific values are added when the question follows the baseline questionnaire, but the answers are not at all or partly compatible. They consist of the country code plus a number, e.g., 2901.

A country-specific variable is introduced when the question differs from the baseline questionnaire or has been added to it. This kind of variable is identified with the suffix consisting of the country code plus a number, e.g., dem01_2401

Download the list of country specific question here

Download the list of country specific response option here.

Missing values in the dataset are indicated by system-generated codes. When a value is missing due to specific reasons, it is marked as follows:

.a         Don’t know

.b         Refusal

.c         Not applicable

.h         Incomplete survey

.           Filter

Certain variables feature unique response categories. The coding of these special response categories varies based on whether the variables are continuous or categorical. In the case of continuous variables, the special answer categories are coded using system missings too in order to maintain the continuity of the variable.

.d         Never

.e         Mainly work from home

.f          Not at all

.g         Not working or homemaker

Post-stratification weights and design weights are included in the datasets. The post-stratification weights are produced using Iterative Proportional Fitting based on the most recent and reliable information on population figures provided by the country teams on five items: age, gender, region, level of education, and marital status. This accounts for selectivity in response, making within-country and cross-country comparative research more reliable. In some countries, more detailed information is available so country teams chose to produce additional weights themselves. This weight variable is called cnt_weight and can only be used for within-country analyses.

A break-off refers to when a respondent quits the survey before reaching the final question. Those cases are marked with the missing value “.h incomplete survey”. Respondents who quit the survey in the first two sections, DEM or LHI, are removed from the dataset.

Some variables are filtered, denoted through a point-missing (in Stata). This means that the respondent has not received the respective question due to answers given previously. To figure out how a variable is filtered, you can check the documentation of the data in the GGP Colectica Portal. Please note that the filtering may vary across countries due to updates to the survey instrument (link to an overview of filter differences across countries ).

GGS-II surveys the resident, non-institutionalized population aged 18–79. In some countries, the range is 18–59 if a high-quality older population survey already exists. Small exclusions (up to 5%) are allowed for practical reasons.

Countries use probability sampling to ensure robust cross-national and longitudinal comparisons. The GGP works with national teams to design a sample suited to each national context.

The baseline wave targets 10,000 respondents for ages 18–79 or 7,000 for ages 18–59, ensuring a large panel and good subgroup representation.

GGS-II uses online (CAWI), face-to-face (CAPI), and telephone (CATI) interviewing. Mode choice depends on national infrastructure but must follow GGP quality standards.

Incentives are recommended to improve response rates, especially for online surveys. Pilot studies may be used to test what works best in each context.

To keep respondents engaged between waves, national teams use strategies such as regular contact, clear communication materials, and tailored incentives. Refreshing the sample is not recommended.

Collects core background information such as gender, date of birth, country of birth, current residence, highest level of education, and current activity.

Residential Information

Covers the dwelling type and satisfaction, future moving intentions, internet access and use, and whether respondents intend to move within the country or abroad.

Current (Non) Co-Resident Partner

Includes information on current partnerships, reasons for living apart, plans to move in together, division of household tasks, decision-making, relationship satisfaction, disagreements, and how the couple met.

Captures partnership history, information on children (including step- and non-resident children), interaction and satisfaction with non-resident children, childcare arrangements, children’s activity status, and custody arrangements after divorce.

Asks about fertility intentions, contraceptive methods, infertility issues, ideal family size, conditions for having another child, and autonomy in sexual and contraceptive decisions.

Collects socio-demographic details for all household members and information on any health problems they may have.

Gathers details about respondents’ parents, including socio-demographic characteristics, contact frequency, relationship satisfaction, childhood home environment, and parental age at first birth.

Covers need for help with personal care, sources of help, satisfaction with life, happiness, loneliness, and healthcare autonomy.

Includes employment status, occupation, contract type, commuting time, parental leave, work organization, work–life balance, income sources, partner’s work and income, and remote work or weekend work arrangements.

Measures views on marriage, intergenerational relations, gender roles, religion, gender equality, and ideal working hours for mothers and fathers.

While the core questionnaire is the same across all participating countries to ensure cross-national comparability, each country can include a limited number of country-specific questions. These allow national teams to address policy priorities, cultural contexts, or emerging topics that are particularly relevant in their setting. Such questions are carefully designed so they do not interfere with the core design and can complement the internationally comparable dataset.