General Household Survey FAQs
- What data are available?
- In what format are the data available?
- Is there more than one version?
- How long will it take to get the data?
- Is there a charge for the service and if so, how much is it?
- Are there any restrictions to applying for the data?
- How do I apply for access?
- Who can I contact for further information?
What data are available?
GHS data from 1971 to 2005 are available from the UK Data Archive (UKDA) as fully anonymised, non-disclosive data at household level file and individual level file.
The following non-data files are available.
- Coding frames
- DV specifications
- Guidelines for using the data
- Questionnaires (household and individual level)
- Changes since last survey
For further information on the GHS, visit the Economic and Social Data Service (ESDS) website .
In what format are the data available?
Portable (POR) files in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSSŪ), Stata and ASCII tab-delimited formats.
Is there more than one version?
No. One version is deposited annually at the UKDA.
How long will it take to get the data?
Once a data use (a brief description of the intended use of the data) has been registered, users can download the data immediately for not-for-profit purposes direct from the UKDA website .
Is there a charge for the service and if so, how much is it?
Researchers accessing the data for commercial purposes will be charged per study number.
Are there any restrictions to applying for the data?
Only bona fide researchers registered with the UKDA are permitted to access the data.
Commercial users must place a data order online before they can download the data from the UKDA website . Arrangements are then made for the signing of a commercial licence agreement. Visit the UKDA website for further details.
How do I apply for access?
To use the UKDA users must register with the ESDS, where you will be provided with an Athens ID. Registration is a one-off process that involves providing the UKDA with personal details, and agreement to an End User Licence which outlines the conditions for using the data. Visit the ESDS website for details on how to register.
Who can I contact for further information?
For further information on this survey please email the GHS team: ghs@ons.gsi.gov.uk
Alternatively, email the ESDS for information about:
- accessing the data: help@esds.ac.uk
- using the data: govsurveys@esds.ac.uk
If you are unsure which dataset you require or which service to use, please refer to the Access to ONS data service for further information.
