World Values Survey
This series began as a set of surveys conducted in ten West European societies by the European Value Systems Study
Group (EVSSG). The World Values Survey (WVS) grew out of those surveys and was initiated in 1981 to study the values and
attitudes of mass publics across nations of different economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. To date four waves
have been conducted: 1981-1984, 1990-1993, 1995-1997, and 1999-2004. The data cover over 60 countries.
The title of the series was changed to World Values Surveys and European Values Surveys with the addition of the
1995-1997 data.
The WVS project explores the hypothesis that mass belief systems are changing in ways that have important economic,
political, and social consequences. The surveys are based on stratified, multistage random samples of adult citizens
aged 18 and older. Each study contains
information from interviews conducted with 300 to 4,000 respondents per country.
Further information on the WVS, including background to the series, data and documentation, news and publications can be found at -
ACCESS
UK residents registered with ESDS (see Registration help) and requiring data for
not-for-profit purposes can order via
World Values Survey datasets. Non-UK users should access the data through
their own national archive, direct from ICPSR or via the links below.
The collection of surveys of the World Values Survey and the European Values Study conducted in four waves between
1981 and 2004 is freely available to analyse and download at the Bancos de Datos
ASEP/JDS and World Values Survey.
A combined dataset containing the 1981-1982, 1990-1991 and 1995-97 waves of the values surveys can also be analysed at the
following web site:
Numeric and Spatial Data Services, University of Michigan.
Data supply: Data can be ordered on CD or via ftp/web download.
Data format: Data are usually supplied as one or more ASCII data files together with other supporting files, such
as SPSS and SAS data definition statements. ICPSR provide an online
Data Use Tutorial that includes
a section on how to use data definition statement files to read ASCII data.
User guides/questionnaires are freely downloadable via:
Cost: If data are requested on portable media
e.g. CD, handling and postage and packaging fees will apply.
See Charges.
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