Survey sample and response tracker

We have created this prototype survey sample and response tracker to improve transparency on the operational performance of our surveys.

It shows the achieved interviews and response rates per survey. Response rates are the interviews achieved as a percentage of people, households or businesses approached.

These figures are not the only measure of survey quality. They cannot tell us anything about bias, or how representative the data are. They are also not a direct indicator of the quality of statistical outputs made using these data. We apply standard techniques to improve the quality of our outputs, such as imputation for missing data.

Overview of surveys in this tracker

Direct comparisons should not be made between the individual surveys in this tracker, as they vary in their design, such as sampling methods, collection periods and participation incentives, which can affect how many interviews are achieved.

The number of achieved interviews can increase even if response rates decline, if more people, households or businesses are approached to take part.

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a longitudinal study that collects information on employment circumstances from GB households across multiple waves. It is used in key labour market and employment statistics.

ONS conducts the LFS for England, Wales and Scotland; these data are represented in this tracker to demonstrate the operational performance of ONS-run surveys. Labour market survey data for Northern Ireland are collected by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) and shared with ONS for use in our published statistics.

Achieved household interviews for the Labour Force Survey (LFS)

All waves, Great Britain, Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2016 to Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026

Household response rates for the LFS

All waves, Great Britain, Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2016 to Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026

Notes

1. Q1 refers to January to March; Q2 refers to April to June; Q3 refers to July to September; Q4 refers to October to December.
2. Data exclude imputation for household non-response in a particular wave. This is where a household is unavailable for interview, but was interviewed in the previous wave, so responses from the previous wave are rolled forward.
3. Several short-term survey collection adjustments were implemented from Q2 2020 in response to the pandemic; for more information see Impact of COVID-19 on ONS social survey data collection and Volume 1: Background and methodology of our Labour Force Survey user guidance.
4. Several changes were made to the operation and processing of LFS data since Q4 2023; for more information see Section 2 of Labour Force Survey quality update: September 2025 and Volume 1: Background and methodology of our Labour Force Survey user guidance.
5. An operational issue in Q2 2026 led to reduced LFS telephone interviewing and lower household contact rates; for more information, see Labour Force Survey Performance and Quality Monitoring Report: April to June 2026.

Related links for LFS

• Labour Force Survey performance and quality monitoring reports
  Response rates, sample size and quality assessment of the Office for National Statistics quarterly Labour Force Survey.
• Labour Force Survey quality update
  Assessment of Labour Force Survey data quality, including the impact of recent changes on the statistics, response levels and rates, and respondent characteristics.
• Labour Force Survey Quality and Methodology Information (QMI)
  Quality and Methodology Information for the Labour Force Survey detailing the strengths and limitations of the data, methods, and data uses and users.

The Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) asks residents of Great Britain about their views and experiences of daily life and events. It is used in well-being, health and cost of living statistics.

Achieved individual interviews for the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN)

Great Britain, 14 May 2020 to 26 July 2026

Individual response rates for the OPN

Great Britain, 14 May 2020 to 26 July 2026

Notes

1. Shading on charts shows changes in data collection frequency. Changes in data collection frequency, sample size, and incentive measures have affected the achieved sample over time. For more information, see Opinions and Lifestyle Survey: sample sizes, response rates and user requested data.

Related links for OPN

• Opinions and Lifestyle Survey: sample sizes, response rates and user requested data
  Survey information including sample sizes, response rates and user requested data for the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN).
• Opinions and Lifestyle Survey Quality and Methodology Information (QMI)
  Quality and Methodology Information for the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN), including strengths and limitations, recent improvements and quality characteristics.

The Wealth and Assets Survey (WAS) is a longitudinal study completed over two years. It measures the well-being of households and individuals in terms of their assets, savings, debt and planning for retirement. Data from this survey can be used to measure changes of wealth in Great Britain (GB) over time.

Achieved household interviews for the Wealth and Assets Survey (WAS)

Wave 1 and Waves 2+, Great Britain, Round 6 (Apr 2016 to Mar 2018) to Round 10 (Apr 2024 to Mar 2026)

Household response rates for the WAS

Wave 1 and Waves 2+, Great Britain, Round 6 (Apr 2016 to Mar 2018) to Round 10 (Apr 2024 to Mar 2026)

Notes

1. Data indicated as provisional may be subject to small changes as processing is not yet fully complete.
2. Overall achieved interviews may not match the sum of Wave 1 and Wave 2+ due to rounding.
3. Work is ongoing to improve our social survey data collection performance, as part of a major recovery and improvement programme. More information on our progress against this programme of work can be found in the latest ONS Surveys and Economic Statistics improvement plan, quarterly progress update.
4. Sample sizes for WAS have fluctuated since first undertaken for the period 2006-08. A detailed breakdown of sample sizes for published Rounds can be found in Table 13 of the Wealth and Assets Survey User Guide Round 8.
5. Several short-term survey collection adjustments were implemented during WAS Round 8 (Apr 2020 to Mar 2022) in response to the pandemic; for more information see Impact of COVID-19 on ONS social survey data collection.
6. Following a substantial reduction in funding part way through Round 8 (Apr 2020 to Mar 2022), no Wave 1 quotas were issued for the second year of the round. Wave 1 achieved interviews and response rates for Round 8 (Apr 2020 to Mar 2022) therefore only cover the first year of this period. For more information see the Wealth and Assets Survey guide.

Related links for WAS

• Wealth and Assets Survey guide
  Wealth and Assets Survey design and implementation, including collection methods, sample design, response rates, coverage and processing. Also includes survey changes and quality information.

The Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF) is an annual survey, designed primarily to measure household expenditure on goods and services. It also gathers information about the income of household members.

LCF data feed into four sets of national statistics: our Family spending, Average household income, Household income inequality and Effects of taxes and benefits on UK household income bulletins.

ONS conducts the survey for England, Wales and Scotland; these data are represented in this tracker to demonstrate the operational performance of ONS-run surveys. Data for Northern Ireland are collected by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) and shared with ONS for use in our published statistics.

Achieved individual interviews for the Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF)

Great Britain, Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2016 to Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026

Household response rates for the LCF

Great Britain, Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2016 to Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026

Notes

1. Q1 refers to January to March; Q2 refers to April to June; Q3 refers to July to September; Q4 refers to October to December.
2. Data indicated as provisional may be subject to small changes as processing is not yet fully complete.
3. Work is ongoing to improve our social survey data collection performance, as part of a major recovery and improvement programme. More information on our progress against this programme of work can be found in the latest ONS Surveys and Economic Statistics improvement plan, quarterly progress update.
4. Sample sizes for the LCF have changed over the years. A summary of sample size changes since 2011 can be found in the Living Costs and Food Survey: technical report data tables in table 7 of the 2025 edition of this dataset.
5. Several short-term survey collection adjustments were implemented from Q2 2020 to Q4 2022 in response to the pandemic; for more information see Impact of COVID-19 on ONS social survey data collection.

Related links for LCF

• Living Costs and Food Survey technical report articles
  User guidance and technical information for the Living Costs and Food Survey for the financial year.
• Living Costs and Food Survey guide
  Living Costs and Food Survey design and implementation, including collection methods, sample design, response rates and coverage. Includes survey changes and quality information.

We are developing this tracker to provide insights into the operational performance of our surveys at ONS, and welcome user feedback on the tracker’s current or future content as we continue to develop it. You can share your feedback by emailing the team at survey.strategy.qhub@ons.gov.uk.

Related links

ONS economic statistics and surveys improvement plans and updates Our improvement plans for surveys and economic statistics and updates on progress.

Response rates

There is no single internationally accepted method for calculating response rates that is used across national statistics institutes. Approaches vary depending on survey design and purpose. For this reason, you cannot compare the response rates between these surveys or compare response rates with international surveys.

For the Labour Force Survey (LFS), Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF) and Wealth and Assets Survey (WAS), response rates are based on the number of fully and partially cooperating households as a proportion of the number of eligible households in the sample.

More information on what we classify as an eligible household for the LFS can be found in Section 7 ‘Understanding response rates’ of our LFS Performance and Quality Monitoring Report.

For the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN), the response rate is the number of adults who fully participated (the achieved sample), as a proportion (%) of those who were invited to participate (the issued sample).