The newest wave of EVS data is currently underway! With several countries currently in the field, and many others planned to start fieldwork in 2026 and 2027, the 2026 wave is coming along. On this page, you can read more about the development of the EVS2026 questionnaire, with a summary of the key moments in this process.
Point of departure: Change in approach to the EVS2026 questionnaire
For the 6th wave of the EVS, a dynamic perspective has been adopted. This perspective integrates two frameworks to study European Values: the traditional framework of “Values in Europe” and a new framework called “European Values”, which is based on current discourse in Europe and especially the European Union, which is in search of its role and specificity in a changing world order.
The European Union is based on a set of European Values laid out in the European Treaty from 2008. These values have become more prominent lately in the wake of the Russian invasions of Ukraine since 2014 and the rise of populist regimes and movements in a number of European countries, working against fundamental rights and the rule of law by weakening democratic institutions. In this context, there is a more explicit discussion about what the common values of Europeans are, also regarding threats from authoritarian regimes in Russia and China, as well as developments in the US under the Trump administration.
So, besides including the questions that represent the long time-series of the European Values Study, we have rejuvenated the EVS questionnaire by following a new conceptual framework that combines the seven traditional value domains (Family, Work, Environment, Perceptions of life, Politics and Society, Religion and Morale, and National identity) with six value areas derived from policy documents of the European Union, namely:
- Social and economic transformations
- Sustainable future
- Cultural heritage
- Non-discrimination
- Rule of law
- Welfare state
By adopting this dynamic perspective, the EVS also ensures a versatile future for the ongoing collaborations with the World Values Survey and the European Social Survey. Integrating the six new value areas to the existing survey structure was done with careful consideration by the Scientific Committee and EVS Community. The work on the questionnaire started in October 2023 until the end of 2025, with meetings in various countries to discuss the development of the new items based on theory and current issues. See the timeline below for an insight into this process.
EVS2026 Questionnaire
The final version of the EVS2026 Master Questionnaire can be found below and is available to download.