How is the Dutch population faring? The Social State of the Netherlands 2011 (De sociale staat van Nederland 2011) , the sixth in this series of reports, describes changes that have taken place in key areas of Dutch people's lives over the last ten years. Europe is now in the throes of an economic crisis of unprecedented magnitude. The crisis began in 2008, but the direct consequences for the life situation of most Dutch citizens are only now becoming apparent. The Social State of the Netherlands 2011 covers many domains of Dutch life: education, public opinion, income and work, health, prevention and care, social and political participation and engagement, use of leisure time, mobility, public safety, and housing and the residential setting. By bringing these diverse themes together, placing them in the context of the economic and demographic developments taking place in Dutch society and describing trends over time, this report presents a picture of the overall life situation of the Dutch population.
