Abstract

The IAB Online Panel for Labour Market Research (IAB-OPAL) provides a state-of-the-art data and survey infrastructure for labour market and social policy research. The longitudinal survey of Germany's working-age population aged 18 to 65 provides a high-quality evidence base for closely tracking social, political and economic developments. As an online omnibus survey, every three to four months, an average of around 8,500 people are interviewed for 20 minutes on current and urgent issues relating to the labour market, social policy and migration policy. By conducting supplementary short surveys (so-called ad hoc studies) on social, political and economic upheavals and crises, IAB-OPAL strengthens the capacity of evidence-based research and policy advice to respond to crises.