The economic office of PwC primarily conducts research into worldwide trends and the influence of them on current business models. Please watch the following animation and see the challenges facing the Dutch business community and the public sector as a result of megatrends.
As Brexit approaches, the pressure is on the remaining 27 EU member states to invest in their competitiveness. In order to remain part of the leading group of innovative suppliers in a digitised and circular world economy, they need market-ready ideas and concepts. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and its senior executive Werner Hoyer are therefore facing a 'historic moment of truth'.
The race of man against machine is an inevitable part of the daily routines of Hal Varian as chief economist of Google Inc. He is therefore regularly asked whether ‘learned machines’ will diminish the number of jobs available to humans. And when will this hollowing out effect affect the mid- and higher segments of the workforce-pyramid?
One year ago the UK voted to leave the European Union. In the year that followed events have continued to surprise: from economic shocks that didn’t materialise to political messages that shocked. Downside risks have slimmed but remain present.
The North Sea is to play a crucial role in the energy transition facing North-West Europe. If public authorities and businesses work together closely, between € 100 billion and € 200 billion can be created for society in this transition from fossil fuels to green energy.
The Brent Crude spot price continues its recovery. It is now some 97% higher since the low in January 2016 of US$27/bbl. Recently at the Vienna meeting on November 30th, OPEC confounded sceptics by agreeing to cut production by 1.2m bbls/d which had an equally positive impact supporting oil prices.
De Young Workers Index compares the economic perspectives of young people in 35 OECD countries. The Netherlands is 7th on the list.
Jan Willem Velthuijsen
Partner
Tel: +31 (0)88 792 75 58
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