This survey was conducted using the EU-SILC, an instrument developed by the European Union to collect data on income, poverty, social exclusion, housing, labor, education, and health that is comparable across the EU countries. It is a panel survey on a four year cycle. The 2009 Poland survey was conducted via a household questionnaire and an individual questionnaire for those 16 years and older. It should be noted that different reference periods exist within this survey. The income reference period is for the year preceding the survey while questions in the other modules refer to the actual survey period.