The Permanent survey on living conditions of households dataset permits, since January 1996, to review annually the evolution of harmonized social indicators throughout the EU. These surveys were discontinued in 2006. The set of indicators is divided into three groups, each subject to an annual survey in January, May and October. These surveys are conducted with a sample of 8000 households. Samples of January, May and October are independent but the residents of a particular unit are surveyed two years in a row on the same date: the sample is renewed by half every year. Finally, each file actually provides information on approximately 6,000 respondent households. These investigations include a "fixed module" so-called "social indicators" and an "ad hoc module" run each time to supplement the information available on a specific social problem, related to living conditions. Both modules are connected with a core module: the household composition table, describing the socio-demographic characteristics of household members, and a short questionnaire on household income.