Listening to Leaders

Listening to Leaders Survey

Fielded every 3-4 years, our Listening to Leaders survey captures the perspectives of public, private, and civil society leaders in 148 low- and middle-income countries on development priorities, donor performance, and more. AidData has fielded four waves of the survey in 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2024—providing a comparative view across stakeholder groups, sectors, and geographic regions. Our research has been featured in NPR, Bloomberg, Foreign Policy, The Washington Post, and The Guardian, among others.

Snap Polls

Fielded to targeted groups of individuals, these short surveys provide a deeper dive into specific topics to gain valuable insights. In collaboration with the Brookings Institution, our snap poll on education data garnered responses from over 300 policymakers. In partnership with PARIS21 and Open Data Watch, over 1,000 Global South policymakers shared their views on national statistics in our snap poll.

Custom Analysis and Advice

Drawing on data from our Listening to Leaders survey and snap polls, we produce a range of custom analyses, profiles, and datasets for public use and the internal needs of our partners. Our survey data analysis 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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Our Listening to Leaders program provides 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

Our reports draw upon the unique experiences of government officials, civil society leaders, private sector representatives, and development partners working on the ground in developing countries.