Information for National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS) Participants

Welcome to the National Longitudinal Surveys website for NLSY79 and NLSY97 respondents! The NLS, sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), are a group of surveys specifically designed to gather information from the same people at multiple points in time. 

Each survey – or cohort – has been selected to represent all people living in the United States at the initial interview date and born during a given period. If you were selected as an NLS respondent, your participation is critical in order to obtain accurate information about how family, education, and labor market activities interact in the daily lives of Americans.

These surveys provide insights into how generations of Americans live and work, but we can’t do it without you!

What’s happening in the NLS?

NLSY79: Interviews Happening Now!

• Contact nlsy79@norc.org to set up your interview!
• Read the NLSY79 Letter from the NLS Director
• How does NLS protect your confidentiality?

NLSY97: Next Round Fall 2025

• Read the NLSY97 Interim Letter from the NLS Director
• Play a game of NLSY97 Trivia
• Update your contact information
• How does NLS protect your confidentiality?

Thank you for your continued participation in the NLS!

Learn more about the NLS:

• The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97) consists of people born in the years 1980 to 1984, who were ages 12 to 17 when first interviewed in 1997.
• The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79) consists of people born from 1957 to 1964, who were ages 14 to 22 when first interviewed in 1979.
• The NLSY79 Child and Young Adult surveys collect information from children born to NLSY79 female respondents.
• Interested in the history of the NLS program?

Last Modified Date: April 1, 2025