The 1998-1999 volume of the Index to International Public Opinion continues to provide the most comprehensive information available for public opinion data throughout the world. Surveys from 73 countries are included, and 167 countries and regions are referenced in these studies. Twenty-one multinational surveys are included as well. Data compiled by 169 research firms makes this the one essential source for public opinion research.

Like its predecessors, the volume is organized initially by major topic categories, each of which is subdivided into more specific subject groups. In addition to the subject matter categorizations, the countries in which the polls were conducted are presented in alphabetical order. The questions and accompanying tables appear chronologically (by date of the field interviewing). As far as possible, the same subject categories are used in each volume, thus facilitating their use for longitudinal comparative research from the mid-1970s onward. Indexes provide access by substantive topics, by the countries in which the polls were taken, and by the countries and regions cited in the survey questions. This volume and the overall series provide the most comprehensive source for public opinion data available. As such, the volumes are of unusual importance for journalists, scholars, government officials, and business professionals.