The Studies

The European Values Study

Running since 1981, the European Value Study is a cross-national repeated cross-section survey study on the evolution of human values and attitudes across European countries. The survey, which collects data using random probability sampling approaches, covers topics including family, work, environment, perceptions of life, politics and society, religion and morality, and national identity. The sixth wave of the study is currently underway, with new data being collected on topics including welfare attitudes, sustainable development, and the way our societies are changing, with more than 30 participating countries.

The World Values Survey

Also running since 1981, and with more than 110 participating countries across the past seven waves, the World Values Survey is a large scale cross-national survey study focusing on social, political, economic, religious and cultural values. The eighth wave of the study, running between 2024 and 2026, will see data collected using random probability approaches across eighty countries worldwide, with new questions on political trust, authoritarianism and populism, migration, climate change, and family planning.

Joining the studies

In 2017, EVS and WVS agreed to collaborate and integrate the two studies together, with EVS leading on the data collection in European countries, and WVS conducting surveys in countries worldwide outside of Europe. While the studies retain their own questionnaires, they now share a “common core” set of questions. In 2026/2027, the Policy Institute was funded by the ESRC to run both the EVS and WVS studies in the UK, merging them into the UKVS.

Data collection for both WVS and EVS is taking place in 2026, with the data accessible in 2027. You will be able to access the data via integrated data sets produced by the WVSA/EVS, and the expanded UK datasets via the UK Data Service.

WVS 8

In 2026, we collected a new sample of 3,088 observations, including new boosted samples in Northern Ireland (413), Scotland (526) and Wales (433), extending the UK nations series we started in 2022, and the WVS series which started in 1981. WVS8 in the UK will also be our first mixed-mode data collection wave, with respondents being allocated at random to complete the survey through in person interviews (50%), or using an online/paper questionnaire (50%). We will use the mixed-mode design to investigate the possibility to transition WVS to fully self-complete data collection in future waves.

 EVS 6

In 2026 and 2027 we will collect a new sample of 2,780 observations, including the same boosted samples across the UK nations we designed for WVS. EVS data will be collected exclusively using online/paper questionnaires. EVS6 in the UK also shares the “common core questionnaire” with WVS8, increasing the sample size available on specific questions for researchers to carry out their analysis, and also covers new topics such as the cost of living, gender equality and minority rights and expanded coverage of topics such as climate change and immigration.

We share insights from the data via reports, events, roundtables and policy labs informing decisions policymaking, unlocking new research opportunities, and engaging the public with high quality evidence on what the UK thinks about key challenges facing the country and the world. Our research also receives extensive media coverage.