Testing the implementation of 2026 EU-SILC modules

ended

The proposed project will methodologically prepare the implementation of the 2026 modules into the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). It will test the operationalisation for the new module on ‘Overindebtedness, consumption and wealth’ which is implemented for the first time in 2026, and the amended variables from the 2026 module on ‘Labour market and housing’. The project includes (i) the operationalisation of predefined variables and methodological specifications into questions, (ii) pilot testing by the pre-test laboratory of the Federal Statistical Office Germany (Destatis), (iii) expert reviews of the operationalisation and questions, (iv) as well as the implementation of lessons learned into the 2026 national questionnaire. Given the SILC modules are voluntary within the German survey while at the same time containing particularly sensitive questions, these cognitive tests and expert interviews will focus on the comprehensibility of the questions for the respondents so as to increase response rates. Expert interviews will complement the insights from the cognitive pretests. The findings of this project will directly feed into the implementation of the 2026 EU-SILC modules in Germany as well as providing insights for all participating member states.