The great majority of inhabitants of The Netherlands are Dutch. They are mainly descended from Franks, Frisians, and Saxons. Most residents of Friesland Province are Frisian, a distinct cultural group with its own language. Fearing overpopulation, the government promoted Dutch emigration after World War II (1939-1945), and some 500,000 people left. But an even larger number of people entered The Netherlands—Europeans and Asians from the former Netherlands Indies dependency

Population: 16.2 million. Nationality: Noun--Dutchmen and Dutchwomen. Adjective--Dutch. Ethnic groups: Predominantly Dutch; largest minority communities are Moroccans, Turks, Surinamese. Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, other. Language: Dutch. Education: Years compulsory--10. Attendance--nearly 100%. Literacy--99%. Health: Infant mortality rate--5.4/1,000. Life expectancy--78 yrs. Work force (7.3 million): Services--53.2%; commerce--16.3%; industry--15.4%; public sector--11.5%; agriculture--3.5%.