An established reference source, Social Trends draws together social and economic data from a wide range of government departments and other organisations; it paints a broad picture of British society today, and how it has been changing. There are 13 chapters each focusing on a different social policy area, described in tables, figures and text: population, households and families, education and training, labour market, income and wealth, expenditure, health, social protection, crime and justice, housing, environment, transport, lifestyles and social participation.
A reflection of four decades of social reporting in the UK is the underlying theme of this year's Social Trends as it celebrates its 40th year in 2010. To mark this anniversary, Social Trends is publishing the population, household and families, labour market, and housing chapters online earlier than usual and in this first wave, these 4 chapters highlight some of the main demographic changes over the last 40 years. 2 more chapters will be published in February 2010, and April 2010, and the remaining 5 will be published on the website in June 2010, supported by a printed publication of all 13 chapters, forming Social Trends 40.