Latest updates
Main survey
(1991-present)
Main stage Waves 1-15 are available.
Calendar Year 2020 to 2023 data are available.
BHPS Waves 1-18 are available, harmonised with Understanding Society.
Wave 16 will be available December 2026.
Information on the content of future waves can be found in the long-term content plan.
Biomarker and genetics data
(2010-present)
Biomarker and genetics data was released in 2014.
Epigenetics data was released in 2017, with a further dataset added in 2021.
Participant led biomarker data collected in Wave 12 of the Innovation Panel was released in 2021.
Polygenic scores are available.
Proteomics panels for cardiometabolic health and neurological processes are available.
COVID-19 Study
(2020-2021)
Understanding Society Waves 1-9 are available. These include data from COVID-19 antibody tests sent to participants in April 2021.
Innovation Panel
Linked data
Education: Understanding Society has been linked to the English NPD and to Scottish education data.
Environment: Understanding Society has been linked to DVLA records.
UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration (UK LLC) – data from a range of UK population level studies linked to NHS data with the aim of improving health and wellbeing following the Covid pandemic. Researchers can apply to the UK LLC to uses these data.
Linked health data for Scotland will be released via the UK LLC in 2026.
Linked credit history (CRA) is available.
Linked annual energy consumption meter data will be released via the ONS SRS in 2026. Further information is available on request.
Data enhancements
Teaching datasets are available.
The Family matrix is available in the main survey dataset.
2019 election data are available as part of a new 2020 Calendar Year dataset.
Marital and Cohabitation Histories – An updated file is now available. This dataset will be updated annually and released after the main survey.
Pregnancy and Early Childhood (PEACH) is available – this crosswave file brings together the key data reported by parents for all children aged under 10 years.