The World Bank’s Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) surveys collect household data in developing countries to assess household welfare, to understand household behaviour, and to evaluate the effect of various government policies on the living conditions of the population. Sampling plans and questionnaire design vary from one LSMS survey to another within a structured framework.
Some data, and accompanying documentation, are available on the WWW for downloading free of charge. Other materials are available on order
Other data sets are available by post at US$200 per country per year with a 25% discount for multiple years for the same country, and a 50% discount for students and users who are nationals of Part II countries working in Part II countries. The WWW site also has general information on the surveys, basic information documents for some surveys, a list of LSMS Working Papers, methodological materials aimed at managers of new similar surveys, and the full text of the Poverty Lines newsletter.