We operate in a highly complex environment – the world around us is changing, more quickly than at any time in history. New social attitudes are emerging to both work and diversity. Digital technologies have become a constant presence in our lives, and we are seeing increasing skills needs and a worsening climate crisis. We realize these transformations affect not only KPMG, but also our stakeholders – clients, employees and regulators are all having to adapt to rapid economic, social and environmental change.
Economic slowdown
The Dutch economy grew by 2.9% in 2022, but is likely to slow next year to around 1.1% in line with other major European economies – a result of higher energy prices, rising interest rates and the effects of the war in Ukraine. An economic downturn may mean businesses scaling back expansion plans, rising unemployment or a squeeze on consumer spending.
200%
Rise in energy prices for Dutch
households in the year to
September 2022
Climate change
Around the world, there are growing calls to combat climate change. In Europe, 2022 was the hottest summer on record. For clients with international supply chains in particular, climate change presents a very real physical risk. But it is also driving deeper changes as companies switch to more sustainable business models and regulators extend ESG reporting requirements.
USD 270 billion
Cost of
natural disasters
worldwide in 2021
Technological advances
Digital technologies are changing the way we work – and the way we live our lives. That has brought definite advantages for business – greater efficiency, lower costs and new insights. But it has also led to concerns over well-being, with a blurring of work and home lives, and a need to fundamentally reskill our workforces.
63%
At the end of 2021, nearly two-thirds of Dutch
households preferred to pay contactless,
either with their bank cards or mobile phones.
Changing demographics
We are also seeing deeper changes within society. Our populations are ageing. In the Netherlands, we have more single-person households than ever before and more dual-career households. At the same time, there is more awareness of diversity and the need for our societies to be fairer and more balanced.
66%
Since 2000, the number of people over
the age of 65 in the Netherlands has risen
by nearly 66%.
Sources: CBS (Statistics Netherlands) – Inflation update September, OECD – Economic Outlook, Swiss Re – Natural catastrophes in 2021, World Bank – Population ages 65 and above, and Dutch Central Bank (DNB) – Preference for contactless payment is increasing