Listening to Leaders Survey

Fielded every three years, our Listening to Leaders survey captures the perspectives and experiences of public, private, and civil society leaders in 148 low- and middle-income countries on a series of topics such as development priorities, donor performance and data uptake. It provides a comparative view over time across stakeholder groups, sectors, and geographic regions. AidData has fielded four waves of the survey in 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2024. The resulting research has been featured in NPR, Bloomberg, Foreign Policy, The Washington Post, and The Guardian.

Snap Polls

Our snap polls facilitate a deeper dive into a specific topic. Usually fielded to a small and targeted group of individuals, these short surveys  provide additional insights into questions that are uncovered by the large-n Listening to Leaders survey. In collaboration with the Brookings Institution, AidData's snap poll on education data garnered insights from over 300 policymakers. In collaboration with PARIS21 and Open Data Watch, over 1,000 policymakers shared their views in our snap poll on national statistics.

Custom Analysis and Advice

Drawing on data from our Listening to Leaders survey and snap polls, AidData produces a wide range of custom analysis, profiles, and datasets for both public use and the internal needs of funding partners. Our survey data analysis is can be paired with qualitative data collected through key-informant interviews or desk research to generate targeted, high-value insights.

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Tuning in to a New Perspective

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This video is an overview of LTL's 360 degree feedback on development priorities, progress, and performance from the perspective of leaders in low- and middle-income countries. We research convergence and divergence in priorities; barriers and opportunities to advance reforms; performance of development partners; and evidence-informed policymaking.

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Bridging the Gap between Leaders and Citizens

This video provides a case study into the Listening to Leaders 2018 report, which draws upon the unique experiences and perspectives of government officials, civil society leaders, private sector representatives, and development partners working on the ground in developing countries.