Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS)

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In this image:Enumerators for the PSPS photographed on their way to survey respondents. © 2024 First Light Studios & IPA Philippines
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Overview


The Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS) is a twenty-year survey in rural Western Visayas providing policymakers and researchers the opportunity to evaluate the impact of social innovations that improve lives.

One major constraint in evaluating the effectiveness of social programs is the lack of long-term and high-quality data. Most data collection efforts focus on a few variables of interest relevant to a particular policy question or impact evaluation and are conducted at a single point in time. However, panel studies have the potential to provide rich data by regularly tracking individuals over an extended period of time on a wide range of dimensions.

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Philippines and the Global Poverty Research Lab (GPRL) at Northwestern University have partnered with the Philippines Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE) to launch a twenty-year panel survey, tracking approximately 13,500 rural households across Western Visayas. The survey will cover demographic information, economic indicators, and key priority sectors in the Philippines, such as education, livelihoods, health, and migration (see full questionnaire here). By targeting a specific region in the Philippines, we are able to deepen our understanding of household circumstances and choices over the years, avoiding being “thinly spread” across the whole archipelago while only capturing a fraction of these complex variables.

The PSPS in Western Visayas will provide publicly available data for government actors, researchers, and practitioners to better understand the long-run processes of social and economic development through regular in-person data collection efforts every four years. This data will serve as a baseline, midline, and endline for different studies, enabling rigorous impact evaluations that measure the impact of programs and policies before they are scaled up nationwide.

The first wave of data collection started in November 2023, with subsequent waves collected every four years until 2043. The data will become publicly available in November 2024.

The PSPS is possible through the generous support of the Global Poverty Research Lab (GPRL) at Northwestern University.

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Studies Leveraging the PSPS


The following studies have sub-sampled from the PSPS, leveraging twenty years of data collection to measure long-term effects:
 

IPA enumerator ©IPA Philippines 2023

Can a Peer-referral System to Recruit Enumerators Increase Data Quality in the Philippines?

A farming family in the Philippines © IPA Philippines

Combining Cash Grants with an Ultra-Poor Livelihoods Training Program in the Philippines

©  IPA Philippines 2023 PSPS Aspirations intervention pilot in Camabugan barangay, Santa Barbara Municipality, Iloilo.

Measuring the Impact of Aspirations Interventions on Economic and Psychosocial Well-being in the Philippines

Children in classroom

Supporting Early Education to Increase Higher Education Enrollment in the Philippines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Beyond the Snapshot: Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey

Take a look behind the scenes of how data is collected in the PSPS. Join our field officer team in Capiz, one of the five provinces in the PSPS sample, as they traverse difficult roads, cross rivers, and hop on canoes to reach survey respondents. The PSPS aims to collect high-quality data that is translated into research and evidence decision-makers need in order to know what works, what doesn’t, and why.

Partners

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    Global Poverty Research Lab

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    GPRL Logo

    The Global Poverty Research Lab (GPRL) at Northwestern University is an academic hub for empirical developmental economics. Founded in 2017, GPRL focuses on empirical evidence and interdisciplinary engagement to understand drivers, consequences, and solutions to global poverty issues.

    Much of GPRL's research is organized into three geographic clusters - the Philippines, China, and Ghana. Within each cluster, GPRL researchers conduct research on various topics including agriculture, education, health, and financial access. GPRL recognizes the value of a cluster-based approach to research, as it allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the issues, leveraging common infrastructure and creating complementarities between projects. In addition to the geographic clusters, GPRL has a Research Methods Cluster to improve data quality, research design, and fieldwork implementation, and an Evidence to Policy cluster, that looks into the relationship between research and policy applications.

    Northwestern University is the PSPS’ main funder and houses the academic leadership of the panel survey. Since 2019, GPRL and IPA work very closely in designing and implementing the PSPS, as well as developing projects to leverage the PSPS long-run data.

    University of the Philippines School of Economics

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    The University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE) is a degree-granting unit of the University of the Philippines Diliman. Established in 1965, UPSE continues to adhere to international standards of excellence and constantly introduces innovations in teaching, research and public service. UPSE has an internationally renowned Ph.D. program in economics.

    Awarded as the Center of Excellence in Economics in 1999 by the Commission on Higher Education, the School is known for graduates who have been rigorously trained and prepared to become leaders in the field. Many of the prime movers in government, business, civil society and academia obtained their formal training in economics from UPSE.

    UPSE occupies the buildings of the Philippine Center for Economic Development along Osmeña Avenue, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City.

    The PSPS will prioritize evidence that is generated locally and used locally. Following this mission, UPSE is supporting the PSPS by grounding the survey and sub-studies within local academia, connecting academics and researchers to our work, and providing mentorship opportunities and fellowships to young PIs and recent graduates.

    Philippines Institute for Development Studies

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    PIDS serves as the Philippine government's primary socioeconomic policy think tank. Since its establishment in 1977, PIDS has been engaged in the conduct of policy-oriented studies to assist policymakers and planners in crafting development policies, plans, and programs that are based on sound research evidence. It has completed numerous studies on a wide range of development topics. These studies have supported the Philippine government in the formulation of relevant policies and programs that are vital to attain inclusive and sustainable development. The Institute has also made significant contributions and influence to Philippine policy development through its active and close collaboration with Congress, government agencies especially the oversight offices (National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance), academic and research organizations, private sector, civil society, and international organizations. Its research outputs are widely disseminated through publications, seminars and conferences, knowledge databases, and social media.

    The PSPS will prioritize evidence that is generated and used locally. Following this mission, PIDS is supporting the PSPS by ensuring the data generated by the survey and evidence generated by PSPS sub-studies is most useful to key decision makers in government. PIDS will connect our work with both central and local government and provide opportunities such as policy dialogues and networking platforms to bring together research and policy.

IPA is fortunate to work with both local and international partners. Here is a list of IPA staff and researchers working on the PSPS:

IPA Team

IPA is fortunate to work with both local and international partners. Here is a list of IPA staff and researchers working on the PSPS:

IPA Team

Founder of IPA; Professor of Economics and Finance at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management; Co-Director, Global Poverty Research Lab

Dean Karlan

Dean Karlan is the Frederic Esser Nemmers Distinguished Professor of Economics and Finance at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and Co-Director of the Global Poverty Research Lab.

Read Full Bio

King Professor of Economics and Co-Director, Global Poverty Research Lab

Christopher Udry

Christopher Udry is the King Professor of Economics and the co-director of the Global Poverty Research Lab at Northwestern University.

Read Full Bio

Senior Research Associate

Emma Davies

Emma Davies is a Senior Research Associate working on the Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS) and one of its sub-studies (on combining cash grants with an ultra-poor livelihoods training program in the Philippines).

Read Full Bio

Research Associate

Mariel Antoinette Felizardo

Mariel is a Research Associate at IPA Philippines, currently working on the Aspirations Project.

Read Full Bio

Research Associate

Aubrey Jolex

Aubrey Jolex is a Research Associate working on the Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS).

Read Full Bio

Research Associate

Nastasha Brigitte Kuan

Nastasha Brigitte Kuan is a Research Associate at IPA Philippines. She is currently working on the Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS) and the Higher Education sub-study.

Read Full Bio

Senior Policy & Program Development Manager

Tara Marwah

Tara Marwah promotes evidence-informed policy and engages with external stakeholders to grow new partnerships.

Read Full Bio

Research Manager

Rene Marlon Panti

Jepoy is a Research Manager, ensuring the smooth implementation of the Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS) and its sub-studies. He is also a co-PI on the Higher Education sub-study.

Read Full Bio

Policy Associate

Jose Edgardo Rivera

Jose is a Policy Associate at IPA Philippines, working on the Philippine Socioeconomic Panel Survey. He is finishing his Master's degree in Asian Studies from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Read Full Bio

Senior Advisor to Chief Economist, USAID

Sneha Stephen

Sneha Stephen manages Professor Dean Karlan's research portfolio, which includes managing a team of Research Analysts and providing support to various IPA country offices as required.

Read Full Bio

Founder of IPA; Professor of Economics and Finance at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management; Co-Director, Global Poverty Research Lab

Dean Karlan

Dean Karlan is the Frederic Esser Nemmers Distinguished Professor of Economics and Finance at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and Co-Director of the Global Poverty Research Lab.

Read Full Bio

King Professor of Economics and Co-Director, Global Poverty Research Lab

Christopher Udry

Christopher Udry is the King Professor of Economics and the co-director of the Global Poverty Research Lab at Northwestern University.

Read Full Bio

Senior Research Associate

Emma Davies

Emma Davies is a Senior Research Associate working on the Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS) and one of its sub-studies (on combining cash grants with an ultra-poor livelihoods training program in the Philippines).

Read Full Bio

Research Associate

Mariel Antoinette Felizardo

Mariel is a Research Associate at IPA Philippines, currently working on the Aspirations Project.

Read Full Bio

Research Associate

Aubrey Jolex

Aubrey Jolex is a Research Associate working on the Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS).

Read Full Bio

Research Associate

Nastasha Brigitte Kuan

Nastasha Brigitte Kuan is a Research Associate at IPA Philippines. She is currently working on the Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS) and the Higher Education sub-study.

Read Full Bio

Senior Policy & Program Development Manager

Tara Marwah

Tara Marwah promotes evidence-informed policy and engages with external stakeholders to grow new partnerships.

Read Full Bio

Research Manager

Rene Marlon Panti

Jepoy is a Research Manager, ensuring the smooth implementation of the Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS) and its sub-studies. He is also a co-PI on the Higher Education sub-study.

Read Full Bio

Policy Associate

Jose Edgardo Rivera

Jose is a Policy Associate at IPA Philippines, working on the Philippine Socioeconomic Panel Survey. He is finishing his Master's degree in Asian Studies from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Read Full Bio

Senior Advisor to Chief Economist, USAID

Sneha Stephen

Sneha Stephen manages Professor Dean Karlan's research portfolio, which includes managing a team of Research Analysts and providing support to various IPA country offices as required.

Read Full Bio
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The Survey


The PSPS will measure how communities change over time by having in-person conversations with the same households, individuals, and barangay (village) officials. These three survey instruments will be our tool in collecting data on things like Demographics, Education, Health, Income, and Consumption of the household. Find out what types of questions we are asking in this round of the PSPS below.
 

Screenshot of first tab of the PSPS household questionnaire Google Sheet

Household Questionnaire

Screenshot of the first tab of the PSPS individual questionnaire Google Sheet

Individual Questionnaire

Screenshot of the first tab of the barangay questionnaire Google Sheet

Barangay Questionnaire

 

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How to Get Involved


IPA Philippines is seeking implementing partners—such as governments, NGOs, and multilateral organizations—who are interested in measuring the impact of their programs or testing out new innovations before they are scaled up. The PSPS will provide a holistic approach to answering policy and program questions through overlapping new studies with our PSPS household sample.

For more information about the Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey, data access, and how to inform your programs, please complete our Get in Touch form.