Frequently used datasets

The Datawarehouse Labour Market and Social Protection (DWH LM&SP) links socioeconomic information from different Belgian social security agencies as well as from other administrative agencies such as the National Register for people living or working in Belgium. It is managed by the Crossroads Bank for Social Security (BCSS) and scientifically supported by various academic research institutions.

Examples of CSB publications based on these data:

• Lens, D., Marx, I. & Vujić S. (2019). Double jeopardy: how refugees fare in one European labor market. IZA Journal of Development and Migration, 10(1). DOI:10.2478/izajodm-2019-0008
• Vinck, J., Lebeer, J. & Van Lancker, W. (2019). Non-take up of the supplemental child benefit for children with a disability in Belgium: A mixed-method approach. Social Policy & Administration, 53(3): 357-384.
• Vinck, J. & Van Lancker, W. (2019). An intersectional approach towards parental employment in families with a child with a disability: the case of Belgium. Work, Employment and Society, 0(0): 1-34.

The EU Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS) is the largest European household sample survey. Its main statistical objective is to classify the population of working age (15 years and over) into three mutually exclusive and exhaustive groups: employed persons, unemployed persons (both together make up the so-called ‘labour force’) and economically inactive persons (the population 'outside the labour force'), for example students, pensioners and housewives or –men.

Eurostat currently publishes EU-LFS results for 35 participating countries. These countries are the Member States of the European Union, the United Kingdom, three EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), and four EU candidate countries (Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey). The EU-LFS provides quarterly and annual data; depending on the labour status of the people (employed, unemployed, economically inactive) different variables are collected. (Source.)

Examples of CSB publications based on these data:​

• Lens, D., Marx, I. & Vujić, S. (2018). Does migration motive matter for migrants' employment outcomes? The case of Belgium. In: Timmerman, C. et al. (eds.), Migration and integration in Flanders: multidisciplinary perspectives. CeMIS migration and intercultural studies. Leuven: Leuven University Press, p. 245-271.
• Corluy, V. & Vandenbroucke, F. (2017). Individual employment, household employment and risk of poverty in the EU. A decomposition analysis. Monitoring Social Inclusion in Europe, Statistical Books Eurostat, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union (2017).
• Corluy, V. & Verbist, G. (2014). Can education bridge the gap? Education and the employment position of immigrants in Belgium (No. 14/02). Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp.
• Corluy, V., Marx, I. & Verbist, G. (2011). Employment chances and changes of immigrants in Belgium: the impact of citizenship. International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 52(4), 350-368.

The EU statistics on income and living conditions, abbreviated as EU-SILC, is the reference source for comparative statistics on income distribution and social inclusion in the European Union (EU). (...) EU-SILC is a multi-purpose instrument which focuses mainly on income. Detailed data are collected on income components, mostly on personal income, although a few household income components are included. However, information on social exclusion, housing conditions, labour, education and health information is also obtained (source). 

Examples of CSB publications with these data:

• Vanhille, J., Goedemé, T., Penne, T., Van Thielen, L., & Storms, B. (2018). Measuring water affordability in developed economies. The added value of a needs-based approach, J Environ Manage, 217, p. 611-620. DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.03.106
• Berger, Y., Osier, G. & Goedemé, T. (2017). Standard error estimation and related sampling issues. In: A. B. Atkinson, A.-C. Guio, E. Marlier (eds.), Monitoring social inclusion in Europe, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, pp. 465-478.
• Goedemé, T. (2013). How much confidence can we have in EU-SILC? Complex sample designs and the standard error of the Europe 2020 poverty indicators, Soc Indic Res, 110, p. 89-110. DOI:10.1007/s11205-011-9918-2

The EU-HBS, the European Union – Household Budget Survey or HBS, is a survey on consumption expenditure of households. It is an important tool to describe the consumption habits of the population in a year's time, both at Belgian and European level. The purpose of the survey is to create a general framework for the production of "community" statistical information at national and European level on the consumption of households, based on cross-sectional data (amount, composition, etc.) on the items of their budgets. (bron)

Examples of CSB publications with these data:

• Cooreman, G., Frère, J.-M., Lévay, P. Z., Vanhille, J., Verbist, G. & Goedemé, T. (2019). Analysis of the air pollution associated with household consumption in Belgium in 2014: the case of greenhouse gas emissions (Federal Planning Bureau Working Paper No. 8–19). Brussels.
• Lévay, P. Z., Vanhille, J., Verbist, G. & Goedemé, T. (2019). De sociale verdeling van broeikasgassen in België. UA/CSB-berichten No. 19/07. Antwerpen: Centrum voor Sociaal Beleid Herman Deleeck, Universiteit Antwerpen..

The HFCS collects information on the assets, liabilities, income and consumption of households. The dataset provides insights into their economic behaviour and financial situation – highly relevant factors in terms of monetary policy and financial stability.

The survey is based on 84,000 interviews conducted in 18 euro area countries, as well as Poland and Hungary, mainly in 2013 and 2014. The first wave of the HFCS was conducted mainly in 2010 and was published in 2013.

The HFCS questionnaire consists of two main parts:

1. questions relating to the household as a whole, including questions on real assets and their financing, other liabilities and credit constraints, private businesses, financial assets, intergenerational transfers and gifts, and consumption and saving;
2. questions relating to individual household members, covering demographics (for all household members), employment, future pension entitlements and income (for household members aged 16 and over).

(Source.)

Examples of CSB publications with these data:

• Marchal, S., Kuypers, S., Marx, I. & Verbist, G. (2021). But what about that nice house you own? The impact of asset tests in minimum income schemes in Europe: an empirical exploration. Journal of European social policy, 31 (1), p. 44-61.
• Boone, J., Derboven, J., Figari, F., Kuypers, S. & Verbist, G. (2019). EWIGE 2 – Update and extension of the EUROMOD wealth taxation project. JRC Working papers on Taxation and Structural Reforms No.7/2019. Seville: Joint Research Centre, European Commission.
• Kuypers, S., Figari, F. & Verbist, G.(2019). Redistribution in a joint income-wealth perspective: a cross-country comparison. Socio-Economic Review. Online First. https://doi.org/10.1093/ser/mwz034
• Kuypers, S. & Marx, I. (2018). Estimation of joint income-wealth poverty: A sensitivity analysis. Social Indicators Research. 136(1), p.117-137.

The MetaSILC 2015 database has been compiled by CSB members dr. Tim Goedemé and Lorena Zardo Trindade and provides detailed information on the income variables in EU-SILC, with a focus on the 2015 wave:

"The MetaSILC 2015 database is a new addition to the toolbox of EU- SILC users and producers. It documents how individual income components are aggregated into the EU- SILC target variables. Even though general and country- specific descriptions of income target variables are avail-able in the EU- SILC methodological guidelines and in the national quality reports, it is often not clear how exactly each of the national income components is classified and aggregated into a target variable in practice. On the basis of a survey among national statistical institutes, we compiled a data-base which maps the exact classification of income components onto the EU- SILC target variables. The focus of the database is on EU- SILC 2015, covering 26 EU- SILC countries. The database contains information on the composition of variables regarding total income before and after transfers; income from benefits, work and capital; social contributions and taxes; as well as on recent and planned changes to the composition of the variables." (Source.)

More information about this dataset can be found under 'Featured datasets'.

Documentation and examples of CSB publications based on these data:

Goedemé, T. & Zardo Trindade, L. (2020). MetaSILC 2015: A database on the contents and comparability of the EU-SILC income variables [Data file], Antwerp: Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp & Oxford: Institute for New Economic Thinking, University of Oxford. DOI:10.7910/DVN/TLSZ4S

Goedemé, T. & Zardo Trindade, L. (eds.) (2020). MetaSILC 2015: A report on the contents and comparability of the EU-SILC income variables, INET Working Paper 2020-1 & CSB Working Paper WP 20/01. Oxford: Institute for New Economic Thinking, University of Oxford & Antwerp: Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp.

Zardo Trindade, L. & Goedemé, T. (2020). The comparability of the EU-SILC income variables: review and recommendations, Statistical Working Paper Series, 2020 Edition, Eurostat, Luxembourg: Publication Office of the European Union. DOI:10.2785/047001

Zardo Trindade, L. & Goedemé, T. (2020). The comparability of the EU-SILC income variables: review and recommendations - 2020 edition. Eurostat statistical working papers, pp. 1-54. DOI:10.2785/047001

Zardo Trindade, L. & Goedemé, T. (2020). A new database on the contents and comparability of the income variables in EU- SILC: MetaSILC 2015. International Journal of Microsimulation 2019; 12(3); 62–67 DOI:10.34196/ijm.00207

EUROMOD is an arithmetic microsimulation model covering the 28 member states of the European Union: it simulates individual and household tax liabilities and benefit entitlements according to the policy rules in place. Its main purpose is to gain insight into the consequences of policy changes (ex-ante policy analysis) on specific households or on the income distribution but can also be used to isolate policy changes from economic and socio-demographic evolutions, for the calculation of budget constraints or facilitate international comparisons (source).

More information about this dataset can be found under 'Featured datasets'.

Examples of CSB publications based on these data:

• Boone, J., Derboven, J., Figari, F., Kuypers, S. & Verbist, G. (2019). EWIGE 2 – Update and extension of the EUROMOD wealth taxation project. JRC Working papers on Taxation and Structural Reforms No.7/2019. Seville: Joint Research Centre, European Commission.
• Decorster, A., Perelman S., Vandelannoote D., Vanheukelom T., & Verbist G. (2019). Which way the pendulum swings? Equity and efficiency of three decades of tax-benefit reforms in Belgium. (No 19/07). Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp.
• Hufkens, T., Goedemé T., Gasior K., Leventi C., Manios K., Rastrigina O., Recchia P., Sutherland H., Van Mechelen N., & Verbist G. (2018). The Hypothetical Household Tool (HHoT) in EUROMOD: a new instrument for comparative research on tax-benefit policies in Europe. (No. 18/19). Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp.
• Marchal, S., Siöland L., & Goedemé T. (2018). Methodological working paper: Using HHoT to generate institutional minimum income protection indicators. (No. 18/20). Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp.
• Vandelannootte, D. & Verbist, G. (2020). The impact of in-work benefits on work incentives and poverty in four European countries. Journal of European social policy, p. 1-14.

The MEqIn survey aims to capture multiple dimensions of well-being and their subjective importance for Belgian households. A representative sample of the Belgian population at the household- and individuel level allows for a broad range of analyses and conclusions on poverty and inequality in Belgium. (Source). 

More information about this dataset can be found under 'Featured datasets'.

CSB publications based on these data:

• Capéau B., Cherchye L., Decancq K., Decoster A., De Rock Bram, Maniquet F., Nys A., Périlleux G., Ramaekers E., Rongé Z., Schokkaert E., & Vermeulen F. (2018). Wat heet dan gelukkig zijn? Geluk, welvaart en welzijn van de Belgen. ISBN 978-90-441-3633-3 - Antwerpen, Garant, 2018, 254 p.
• Capéau B., Cherchye L., Decancq K., Decoster A., De Rock Bram, Maniquet F., Nys A., Périlleux G., Ramaekers E., Rongé Z., Schokkaert E., & Vermeulen F. (2019). En faut-il peu pour être heureux? Conditions de vie, bonheur et bien-être en Belgique. Regards économiques / UCL. Institut de recherches économiques et sociales - ISSN 2033-3013 - 144(2019), p. 1-12
• Capéau B., Cherchye L., Decancq K., Decoster A., De Rock Bram, Maniquet F., Nys A., Périlleux G., Ramaekers E., Rongé Z., Schokkaert E., & Vermeulen F. (2019). En faut-il peu pour être heureux? Conditions de vie, bonheur et bien-être en Belgique. ISBN 978-2-8072-0510-9 - Limal, Anthemis, 2019, 218 p.

Reference budgets are priced baskets containing essential goods and services to participate adequately in society. The reference budgets are developed for specific household types. The baskets are priced at minimum but acceptable prices and the prices are yearly revised. Furthermore, every five years the content of the basket is re-evaluated to capture changes in society (source).

More information about this dataset can be found under 'Featured datasets'.

Examples of CSB publications based on these data:

Belgian Reference Budgets:

• Penne., T., Cornelis, I. & Storms, B. (2019). Reducing Out-of-pocket Costs to Improve the Adequacy of Minimum Income Protection. Reference Budgets as an EU Policy Indicator: The Belgian Case. CSB Working paper Series, No.19.06. Antwerp: Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp. 
• Storms, B., Penne, T., Vandelannoote, D. & Van Thielen, L. (2015). Is de minimuminkomensbescherming in ons land doeltreffender geworden sinds 2008? Wat leren we uit de geüpdatete referentiebudgetten? CSB- berichten, april 2015. Antwerpen: Centrum voor Sociaal Beleid Herman Deleeck. 

• Storms, B., Goedemé, T. & Van den Bosch, K. (2010). Het socio-vitaal minimum anno 2010. CSB-berichten, december 2010. Antwerpen: Centrum voor Sociaal Beleid Herman Deleeck, Universiteit Antwerpen. 

• Storms, B. & Van den Bosch, K. (2009). Wat heeft een gezin minimaal nodig? Een budgetstandaard voor Vlaanderen. CSB-berichten, mei 2009. Antwerpen: Centrum voor Sociaal Beleid Herman Deleeck, Universiteit Antwerpen).

Cross-nationally comparable Reference Budgets:

• Goedemé, T., Penne, T., Hufkens,T., Karakitsios, A., Bernát, A., Simonovits, B., Carillo Alvarez E.,Kanavitsa, E., Cussó Parcerisas,I., Riera Romaní, J., Mäkinen, L., Matsaganis, M., Arlotti, M., Kopasz, M., Szivós, P., Ritakallio,V.-M., Kazepov,Y., Van den Bosch, K. & Storms, B. (2017). What Does it Mean to Live on the Poverty Threshold? Lessons From Reference Budgets. CSB Working Paper Series, No. 17/07. Antwerp: Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp. 
• Goedemé, T., Penne, T., Swedrup, O., Van den Bosch, K. & Storms, B. (2019). Exploring common ground for defining adequate social participation in 24 EU capital cities. CSB Working Paper Series. Antwerp: Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp. 
• Penne, T. & Goedemé, T. (2019). Putting inadequate incomes at the heart of food insecurity. A study of the financial constraints to access a healthy diet in Europe. CSB Working Paper Series No. 19.10. Antwerp: Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp.
• Penne, T., Hufkens, T., Goedemé, T., & Storms, B. (2018). To what extent do welfare states compensate for the cost of children? A hypothetical household approach to policy evaluations. CSB Working Paper Series, No. 18.11. Antwerp: Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp. 

The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) is a multidisciplinary and cross-national (27 European countries and Israel) panel database of micro data on health, socio-economic status and social and family networks from individuals aged 50 years or older. SHARE was established in 2004 to deliver the data needed to conduct research on population ageing and the lifstyle of people aged 50 and older (source). 

More information about this dataset can be found under 'Featured datasets'.

Examples of CSB publications based on these data:

• Skugor, D. (2018). De arbeidsgeschiedenis van Belgische ouderen in kaart gebracht. Tijdschrift voor Arbeidsvraagstukken, 34(4), pp. 494-510.
• Decancq, K., & Michiels, A. (2017). Measuring Successful Aging with Respect for Preferences of Older Persons. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 00(00), pp. 1-9, DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbx060.
• Skugor, D., Van Lancker, W. & Van Den Bosch, K. (2017). Ongelijkheid in loopbaan en pensioen: het Mattheuseffect in actie. Geron: tijdschrift over ouder worden en maatschappij - ISSN 1389-143X-19:3 (2017) p. 19-23.
• Laferrère, A., & Van den Bosch, K. (2015). Unmet need for long-term care and social exclusion. In A. Börsch-Supan, T. Kneip, H. Litwin, M. Myck, & G. Weber (Eds.), Ageing in Europe – Supporting Policies for an Inclusive Society (pp. 331-342). Berlin: De Gruyter. DOI:10.1515/9783110444414-032.
• Cantillon, B., & Vandenbroucke, F. (Eds.) (2014). Reconciling work and poverty reduction: how successful are European welfare states? Oxford University Press, 494 pp.

Qualtrics is a simple web-based tool to develop online surveys. Online surveys are typically distributed to respondents via email or social media. Qualtrics allows to address topics that are usually not covered in household surveys, offers flexibility in terms of format of questions and responses and it provides technical support for the design and implementation of the survey. 

Examples of CSB studies / surveys: 

• Cabeza, B. and Decancq K. (forthcoming) Elicitation of redistributive preferences taking desert concerns into account
• Decancq K. and Nys A. (2019) Non-parametric well-being comparisons
• Van Loon V. and Decancq K. (forthcoming) Exploring older people’s view on the ‘good life’: Using a factorial survey to explore trade-offs between life domains among older people in the US
• Survey for the MISSION project
• Goedemé, T.; Zardo Trindade, L. (2019). MetaSILC 2015: A database on the contents and comparability of the EU-SILC income variables