Approaching Crime Information from Major National Social Surveys in China: A Comprehensive Review of Their Value and Utility for Criminological Research

Understanding and addressing issues of victimization, public safety, and crime requires accurate and comprehensive survey data. However, China currently lacks systematic, nationally representative surveys specifically designed for criminological research. This study systematically reviews six major social surveys: the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), Chinese Social Survey (CSS), China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS), China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), and China Household Financial Survey (CHFS). Each survey is evaluated in terms of its scope, methodology, accessibility, and questions related to victimization, public safety, and crime, as well as overall strengths and limitations. The study highlights the potential of these data sets for criminology and victimology research, offering opportunities to examine patterns, determinants, and consequences of victimization, crime, and safety perceptions. At the same time, the fragmented and unsystematic nature of these surveys poses significant challenges for comprehensive analysis. This underscores the urgent need for a nationally representative victimization survey in China, which would also enhance research on public safety and crime-related issues more broadly.