Korean General Social Survey (KGSS): Cumulative File, 2003-2025 (ICPSR 39587)
Version Date: Jul 13, 2026 View help for published
Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s)
Jibum Kim, Sungkyunkwan University (South Korea), Survey Research Center;
Jeong-han Kang, Yonsei University;
Seok-ho Kim, Seoul National University;
Changhwan Kim, University of Kansas;
Wonho Park, Seoul National University;
Yun-Suk Lee, University of Seoul;
Seulki Choi, KDI School of Public Policy and Management;
Sori Kim, Sungkyunkwan University (South Korea), Survey Research Center
Series:
https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR39587.v1
Version V1
Summary View help for Summary
The Korean General Social Survey (KGSS) is the Korean version of the General Social Survey (GSS), closely replicating the original GSS of the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.
The KGSS comprises five parts:
- The first part includes core questions covering key aspects of Korean society.
- The second part is the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) module, a cross-national survey conducted in 45 countries.
- The third part is the East Asian Social Survey (EASS) module, a joint GSS-type survey of Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan.
- The fourth part is the European Social Survey (ESS) module, a cross-national survey conducted across Europe.
- The last part contains modules proposed by researchers.
This data collection is the cumulative version of the previous 22 years of survey data from 2003 to 2025. The survey was conducted annually from 2003 to 2014 and biennially from 2016 onward (excluding 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2022). Due to COVID-19, the 2020 survey was skipped and conducted in 2021 instead.
Respondents were asked for their opinions about Korean society, economic conditions, government performance, politics and political conditions. Additional questions include the healthcare system, health behaviors, human rights, attitudes toward aging and the elderly, household composition, income, education, occupation, environmental issues, international migration and so on. Demographic data collected includes age, sex, education level, household income, employment status, religious preference, political party affiliation, and political philosophy.
Citation View help for Citation
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Funding View help for Funding
Subject Terms View help for Subject Terms
Geographic Coverage View help for Geographic Coverage
Smallest Geographic Unit View help for Smallest Geographic Unit
Region
Distributor(s) View help for Distributor(s)
Time Period(s) View help for Time Period(s)
Date of Collection View help for Date of Collection
Data Collection Notes View help for Data Collection Notes
- For additional information on the Korean General Social Survey, please visit the KGSS website.
Study Purpose View help for Study Purpose
The purpose of this study is to collect information as a means to create an overall view on the general lifestyle and experiences of Korean citizens.
Study Design View help for Study Design
This study consists of responses to administered questionnaires.
Sample View help for Sample
2003-2018: Between 2003 and 2018, the sample size of the first (2003) and the second (2004) surveys was 2,000 but it was increased to 2,500 with the third (2005) survey in order to reduce standard errors and increase effective sample sizes. Between 2003 and 2005, data from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety was utilized instead of constructing sampling frames of households. The sample was selected using a multi-stage area probability sampling method.
2021-2025: Between 2021 and 2025, the KGSS has employed a four-stage area-probability sampling method that includes household member selection. Starting from the 2021 cycle, Output Areas (OAs) created by the Korea National Statistical Office have been adopted as the Secondary Sampling Units (SSUs). For more detailed sampling information, please see 2003-2025 KGSS Cumulative Codebook.
Time Method View help for Time Method
Universe View help for Universe
Non-institutionalized residents in Korea who are 18 years of age or older and can communicate in Korean
Unit(s) of Observation View help for Unit(s) of Observation
Data Type(s) View help for Data Type(s)
Mode of Data Collection View help for Mode of Data Collection
Description of Variables View help for Description of Variables
The variables in this study, in addition to administrative information, include demographic information about respondents, their socio-economic and educational backgrounds and views, and details about regular activities.
Response Rates View help for Response Rates
- 2003: 1,315 respondents (66%)
- 2004: 1,312 respondents (66%)
- 2005: 1,613 respondents (65%)
- 2006: 1,605 respondents (64%)
- 2007: 1,431 respondents (57%)
- 2008: 1,507 respondents (60%)
- 2009: 1,599 respondents (64%)
- 2010: 1,576 respondents (65%)
- 2011: 1,535 respondents (61%)
- 2012: 1,396 respondents (56%)
- 2013: 1,294 respondents (52%)
- 2014: 1,370 respondents (55%)
- 2016: 1,051 respondents (47%)
- 2018: 1,031 respondents (43%)
- 2021: 1,205 respondents (50%)
- 2023: 1,230 respondents (51%)
- 2025: 1,211 respondents (50%)
Original Release Date View help for Original Release Date
2026-07-13
Version History View help for Version History
2026-07-13 ICPSR data undergo a confidentiality review and are altered when necessary to limit the risk of disclosure. ICPSR also routinely creates ready-to-go data files along with setups in the major statistical software formats as well as standard codebooks to accompany the data. In addition to these procedures, ICPSR performed the following processing steps for this data collection:
- Performed consistency checks.
- Created variable labels and/or value labels.
- Created online analysis version with question text.
- Checked for undocumented or out-of-range codes.
Weight View help for Weight
The weight variable, FINALWT, with six implied decimal places has been included and must be used in any analysis.
HideNotes
These data are freely available to data users at ICPSR member institutions. The curation and dissemination of this study are provided by the institutional members of ICPSR. How do I access ICPSR data if I am not at a member institution?