World Bank's Living Standards Measurement Study

05/08/2026

Advances in AI, machine learning and geospatial tools are transforming how we collect and analyze data on jobs, poverty and livelihoods across low- and middle-income countries. Yet, even in this rapidly evolving landscape, household surveys remain critical for development data and are the foundation for better policy, stronger institutions and better lives.

This discussion was at the center of the inaugural 𝐵𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐵𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐽𝑜𝑏𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐿𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠: 𝐼𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑦 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝐼 conference, organized by the Survey Unit’s Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) – the World Bank’s flagship household survey program - and the Global Poverty Research Lab, Northwestern University, in collaboration with the World Bank Data Academy.


The conversation continues, and we are pleased to announce that the next conference will take place on 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟖-𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.


In the meantime, read the blog below and explore the carousel for six key takeaways from the inaugural conference:

➡️ https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/impactevaluations/the-future-of-surveys--six-takeaways-from-the-inaugural-conferen

04/21/2026

A few weeks ago, our team, the World Bank Development Data Group’s Survey Unit (DECSU), delivered the first internal training in a series of five, “Designing and Implementing Household Surveys from a Gender and Jobs Perspective”, in partnership with the World Bank Gender Group and the Data Academy.


A significant team effort went into making this happen - from content development to delivery and organization - but the effort was absolutely worth it. Participants were very engaged throughout the sessions and brought in diverse perspectives that made the sessions richer.


In the slides below, we are sharing the views of some attendees.

04/06/2026

In El Salvador, a safer commute can get more women to work.

A recently published paper, authored by some of our team’s researchers, looks at how non-wage features shape job preferences among women in rural and peri-urban areas in El Salvador.

Some of the insights show that:

• Women value a safe commute and childcare the most. They are willing to give up part of their salary for jobs that guarantee these elements.
• Entry barriers matter: Jobs that do not require prior work experience are more attractive than those than do, while having a formal contract plays a smaller role, especially in highly informal settings.
• Job attribute preferences vary by women’s preferences and characteristics: Women in rural areas and those who are more risk averse place especially high value on safety and childcare, while younger women are more sensitive to experience requirements and potential stigma related to disclosing home address.

For policymakers, the study highlights why efforts to expand women’s employment need to look beyond pay to the importance of safety, childcare and hiring barriers.

Read more ⬇️

03/20/2026

Training is a core component of the work we do.
📚Over the past months, the Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) team has been working hard on the development of a new gender data course in partnership with the World Bank Gender Group and the Data Academy.
The *Designing and Implementing Household Surveys from a Gender and Jobs Perspective* training was delivered recently, and we are very pleased with the results.
✅The feedback we received was extremely positive: 95% of respondents rated the workshop as high or very-high quality, and 90% would recommend it to a colleague.
Participants particularly valued the practical tools for gender responsive survey design and the relevance of the content across sectors.
More courses are being planned, but in the meantime, we would like to share some pictures from this first training. 📸

03/13/2026

Excellent tool to measure how women recognize gender inequalities and take action to tackle them.

Learn more about MAGNET's Gender Inequality Critical Consciousness Scale.

🔍 Seeing inequality is the first step to changing it: MAGNET's Gender Inequality Critical Consciousness Scale measures how women recognize gender inequalities, take action against them, and stay motivated for change. Validated across India and Uganda, higher critical consciousness shows strong associations with intra-household decision-making power, increased labor force participation, and secondary education.

Access the tool here: https://magnet.ifpri.info/gender-inequality-critical-consciousness-scale/

CGIAR World Bank Group

03/11/2026

📢The World Bank Group Alan W. Heston Fellowship has just been launched, and we are looking for applications!

This is a great opportunity for early-career economists and practicing statisticians dedicated to advancing the field of global economic measurements, price statistics and Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs).

Selected fellows will have the unique opportunity to:

• Collaborate directly with the International Comparison Program (ICP) at the World Bank Group, which is sponsoring this opportunity.
• Disseminate original findings through the World Bank Group Data Blog and/or Policy Research Working Paper Series.

🗓️ Deadline: March 29, 2026

Apply now! ⬇️

https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/brief/AH_Fellowship

03/06/2026

📢 WORLD BANK NEWS

Hosted by Statistics Poland, and in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the World Bank is organizing the X International Conference on Agricultural Statistics (ICAS).

🌽 This event is a global forum that will bring together producers and users of agricultural data, including national statistical offices, international agencies, academics and private-sector actors to share innovations and explore best practices in agricultural statistics.

Early-bird discounted registrations are taking place now and until March 16, make the most of this opportunity and register here ➡️ https://www.isi-next.org/conferences/icas-x-2026/

📅 July 8–10, 2026
📍 Kraków, Poland

For more details on registrations and submissions for the 10th International Conference on Agricultural Statistics, please first login to your account. If you do not have an account then you can create one below:

02/27/2026

📊Longitudinal data tells a more nuanced story than headline growth figures.

By tracking individuals over time, we can see how economic shifts translate into real welfare outcomes.


📚Individual decisions - where to work, whether to relocate or pursue further education - aggregate into national development patterns.


Understanding these dynamics is essential for designing policies that build resilience, as shown in a new paper authored by the Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) - the World Bank’s flagship household survey program – University of Ghana, University of Dodoma and the World Bank’s Poverty and Equity Global Practice.

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🇹🇿 Structural Change, Internal Migration, and Welfare: A Micro-Panel Data Evidence From Tanzania, underscores how inclusive growth requires enabling upward transitions, not just sector expansion.

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Go through the slides below for 5 highlights, and for further insights, read the paper here⬇️
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rode.70119

02/24/2026

Digital tools have transformed how institutions collect data - expanding reach, reducing costs and increasing speed.

📊But innovation must be matched with rigor.


Remote surveys offer enormous potential, particularly in fragile or resource-constrained contexts. At the same time, they introduce new dynamics in respondent behavior that organizations must manage.

💡This is not just a technical issue - it’s a strategic one. Methodology can shape insights, priorities, and ultimately decisions, so investing in thoughtful design, testing and methodological safeguards is essential.

A new paper published by the Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS), the World Bank’s flagship household survey program, The Effect of Survey Mode on Data Quality - Experimental Evidence from Nigeria, explores this topic.

5️⃣ findings are highlighted in the slides below, for all the insights, read the paper here ⬇️

https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099050402052612394/pdf/IDU-2b89766c-c35e-4085-aaf8-949970498b1d.pdf

02/18/2026

The Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) has launched an exciting multi-year initiative to transform how surveys are designed and conducted.

This new initiative focuses on developing survey methods to improve accuracy, timeliness and cost-effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

Because household surveys are essential to shape programs and policies that improve lives.

As part of this work, our team is exploring how large language models and generative AI can help:

• Detect and reduce survey error
• Better interpret open-ended response
• Create simpler, more respondent-centered questionnaires

To hear directly from the LSMS team leading this work, join the virtual symposium organized by the University of Maryland's Social Data Science Center.

🗓 February 24, 2026
⏱️12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET

Get your questions ready for the Q&A session and register here to participate ⬇️ https://socialdatascience.umd.edu/february-24-2026-soda-symposium-enhancing-living-standards-surveys-in-lmics-using-large-language-models/