The study analyses from the historical and comparative angle the making of social security schemes in Denmark, France and the Netherlands. No major similarities in the countries’
status at the beginning of the study period can be identified. The initial social security systems were all influenced by factors peculiar to each individual country. After the mid 1970s, the social security systems of all three countries have been adjusted to the realities of slower economic growth. The amalgamation of the workers’ insurance
and national insurance models is under way.