Data project

Gender and Generation Survey or GGS (part of The Generations and Gender Programme or GGP)

Gender and Generation Survey or GGS (part of The Generations and Gender Programme or GGP)

Summary

The Belgian part of the GGS survey has been conducted in a scientifically sound way. Two weaknesses of the dataset for the JPI project can be distinguished: (1) The institutionalized elderly are not included. (2) Individuals older than 80 are not included in the survey population.

Type of data

Data Source
Survey

Type of Study
Crosssection occasional

Data gathering method
Telephone
Face-to-face

Access to data

Conditions of access
The Belgian GGS data are available for scientific research free of charge.

Type of available data (e.g. anonymised microdata, aggregated tables, etc.)
Aggregated tables, online data browsing and analysis tool, and anonymised microdata

Formats available
Excel (contextual database), Nesstar (online analysis), and SPSS/SAS/… (microdata).

Coverage

Coverage Years of collection, reference years, and sample sizes
To obtain a representative sample of the whole population, the sampling was designed as a classical random sample, i.e. a stratified two-stage sample using the National Register as basis. The population is defined as the non-institutionalized population aged 18-79 and living in Belgium. In a first stage, municipalities were selected and in a second stage, individuals within those municipalities were selected. 17,836 people in total were selected this way. Data were collected between February 2008 and May 2010. 7,163 men and women participated in the study. With regard to the population of interest for the JPI project, the sample contains 1,356 men and women between 50 and 59 years old, 1,029 between 60 and 69 years old and 737 between 70 and 79 years old.

First year of collection
2008

Stratification if applicable
Disproportional stratification by region and a proportional (post)stratification by sex and age (age categories 18-44 & 45-79) within the regions. National weighting coefficients correct for the disproportional stratification by region.

Base used for sampling

Geographical coverage and breakdowns
Belgium, with possibility for breakdown according to NUTS1/NUTS2 region.

Age range
Population ranges from 18 to 79.

Statistical representativeness
Population representative

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics
For Belgium, the GGS is the single most important dataset to study intergenerational relationships (e.g. the questionnaire contains both attitude scales regarding intergenerational support, and information on emotional, financial and logistical support between generations and personal care giving by family members). In addition, the dataset can be used to evaluate work and productivity (e.g. distribution of older people across the workforce, the association between working longer and different wellbeing dimensions); wellbeing (e.g. wellbeing outcomes and determinants can be compared for older and younger people); health and performance; housing; and, social, civic and cultural engagement. The data allow for a life-course perspective (timings of leaving the parental home, fertility behaviour, partnerships and union formation, ....).

Linkage

Standardisation
The purpose of the Generations and Gender Program is to collect internationally comparable data in the participating countries. Therefore, the United Nations developed an international standardized questionnaire.

Possibility of linkage among databases
As the Belgian sample was drawn from the National Register, the (confidential) data contain the National Register number for each respondent. Theoretically, this makes it possible to link the GGS data to administrative datasets. Such a link so far has not been made and it is unclear to what extent such linkage would be accepted by the Belgian Privacy Commission.

Data quality

Entry errors if applicable
Overall response rate was 42%. After data collection, non-response at both interview and item level were corrected through weighting factors when necessary. The fieldwork was closely monitored in order to maximize efficiency of the data collection and quality of the collected data. Interviews were taken at the respondent’s home through face-to-face interviews (CAPI).

Breaks

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection

Governance

Contact information
General coordinator of the project is Patrick Deboosere (Vrije Universiteit Brussel – Interface Demography).
Interface Demography, Vakgroep Sociologie, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Pleinlaan 5
B-1050 Brussel Belgium Phone: +32 2 6148128
Email: tom.de.winter(at)vub.ac.be
Url: www.ggp-i.org/data/data-access.html

Timeliness, transparency
The data for the first wave were collected between 2008 and 2010. The data has been available upon request since 2011/2012.