Young Lives

Who we are

Young Lives is an international study of childhood poverty, involving 12,000 children in four countries over 15 years. It is led by a team in the Department of International Development at the University of Oxford in association with research and policy partners in the four study countries: Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam.

Through researching different aspects of children's lives, we seek to improve policies and programmes for children.

Young Lives is an international longitudinal study of childhood poverty following the changing lives of 12,000 children in Ethiopia, India (in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telanaga), Peru and Vietnam over 20 years.

The study is unique in that it directly links the evidence-base of research to policymakers and planners, both in the study countries and internationally.

Young Lives is a collaborative research project coordinated by a team based at the University of Oxford led by Professor Andy McKay. Our research partners in each study country represent a range of government, independent and academic institutions, alongside the international NGO Save the Children.

The strength of Young Lives lies in the knowledge, expertise, skills and diversity of the international team. It draws together experts in the field of childhood poverty across a wide range of disciplines – ranging from anthropology, economics, education, health and nutrition, psychology, social policy, sociology, policy and research communication. It is the composition of the whole team that lends Young Lives its unique character and potential.