Divisions between the haves and have-nots have become entrenched in the past 10 years, according to a report from the SCP socio-cultural think tank.

A new report, The Social State of the Netherlands 2019, shows that in general Dutch people are just as contented as they were with their lives in 2008 – giving an average score of 7.8 out of 10.

Improvements in the economy have not affected this contentment rating, says the report – which compares the factual economic and social situation with people’s assessment of how they are feeling.

But, it adds, that there are ‘deep-seated differences’ between the haves and the have-nots in terms of education, income, sickness and psychiatric disorders.

It says the numbers of people on a low income are growing and 400,000 people are seriously unhappy, pessimistic about the future and their own opportunities. It notes that automation and an increasing use of robots have impacted the jobs market, and routine jobs will probably disappear in the future.

The report is based on studies the SCP carries out every two years, and encompasses the credit crunch and refugee crisis as well as the recent economic boom.