Handbook of Methods > National Longitudinal Surveys

Handbook of Methods National Longitudinal Surveys Overview

National Longitudinal Surveys: Overview

The National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS) are a set of surveys designed to gather information at multiple points in time on the labor market activities and other significant life events of several groups of men and women. NLS data have served as an important tool for economists, sociologists, and other researchers for more than 50 years. NLS data cover multiple cohorts: Older Men (born in 1907–21 and interviewed during 1966–81), Young Men (born in 1942–52 and interviewed during 1966–81), Mature Women (born in 1923–37 and interviewed in 1967–2003), Young Women (born in 1944–54 and interviewed in 1968–2003), NLSY79 (born in 1957–64 and interviewed in 1979–present), NLSY79-CYA (children of women in the NLSY79 sample and interviewed in 1986–2020), and NLSY97 (born in 1980–84 and interviewed in 1997–present).

Quick Facts: National Longitudinal Surveys
Subject areas	Employment, Hours, Income, Pay, Unemployment, Work experience
Key measures	Hours of work Number of jobs held Hourly wages Educational attainment Health limitations Income Assets Program participation
How the data are obtained	Administrative records, Survey of individuals
Classification	Demographic
Periodicity of data availability	Annual
Geographic detail	National
Scope	Civilian noninstitutional population, Military
Sample sizes	Varies by cohort, approximately 10,000 each
Key products	Annual NLS News releases NLS Public Use Microdata Files NLS Data Documentation
Program webpage	www.bls.gov/nls

Last Modified Date: May 28, 2025