Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Scottish Household Survey (SHS) is a continuous survey based on a sample of the general population in private residences in Scotland. It is financed by the Scottish Government (previously the Scottish Executive). The survey started in 1999 and up to 2011 followed a fairly consistent survey design. From 2012 onwards, the survey was substantially redesigned to include elements of the Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) (available from the UK Data Service under GN 33296) including the follow-up Physical Survey component. The survey is run through a consortium led by Ipsos MORI. The SHS is designed to provide reliable and up-to-date information on the composition, characteristics, attitudes and behaviour of private households and individuals, both nationally and at a sub-national level and to examine the physical condition of Scotland's homes. It covers a wide range of topics to allow links to be made between different policy areas.Further information about the survey series, and links to publications, can be found on the Scottish Government's Scottish Household Survey webpages.

For the second edition (April 2017), an updated version of the social public file was deposited. The MATDEP1 and MATDEP2 variables are no longer present (they were removed from the data in January 2017) and labelling for the HIHSIC3 variable has been revised. The variable HIHSIC3 groups original HIHSIC2 data into fewer categories, and the labels have been adjusted to reflect this.

Main Topics:

The main topics include: the composition and characteristics of households and adults in Scotland; housing; neighbourhoods and communities; economic activity; finance; education and young people; transport and travel; internet; health and caring; local services; volunteering; and culture and sport.

One-stage stratified or systematic random sample

Face-to-face interview: Computer-assisted (CAPI/CAMI)