How is the Dutch population faring? That is the central question addressed in The Social State of the Netherlands 2009. This book describes the present status of the Netherlands and the Dutch in a number of key areas of life, and also highlights the changes that have taken place in people's life situation over the last ten years. It devotes attention to separate groups based on age, sex, whether or not a person is disabled, ethnic origin, and financial position. The impact of the financial crisis that began in 2008 is also described for those themes for which data were available. And because Europe is coming ever closer and a great deal of government policy, the authors indicate in several places how the Dutch compare with their European neighbors.