The gold standard for living wage and living income research
The Anker Research Institute conducts rigorous research on living wage and living income around the world, based on the Anker Methodology®. This methodology combines secondary data analysis on people’s needs, with thorough on-ground field research on the local cost of nutritious food, healthy housing, adequate health care, and children’s education. This combination of primary and secondary data, and the rigorous, locally embedded research, sets the Anker Research Institute apart from other organizations estimating living wages and living incomes. The Institute is generously institutionally hosted by Social Accountability International.
What are the differences between our studies
There are three interlocking Anker Methodologies which enable the Anker Research Institute to make internationally comparable living wage and living income estimates for all countries and locations in the Global South: Anker Benchmark Methodology, Anker Reference Value Methodology, and Anker Sub-National Estimate Methodology.
LIVING WAGE & INCOME BENCHMARKS
Anker Benchmark estimates are widely recognized as the gold standard for measuring living wage. They are based on extensive fieldwork, and result in a detailed 50-60 page report.
REFERENCE VALUES
Anker Reference Value estimates indicate the average living wage and living income for rural and urban areas of countries. Thus, they cover an entire country.
SUB-NATIONAL ESTIMATES
Anker Sub-National Methodology estimates how living wage and living income differ by location within a country. Thus, they are especially necessary for large and complex countries where living costs and living standards significantly differ across regions.
