Productivity
Productivity growth is crucial for future broader prosperity
The Netherlands faces a productivity paradox: while labour productivity levels are high, productivity growth is relatively low and lags behind the European Union average. Due to an ageing population, labour shortages and increasing pressure on public services, future economic growth will need to come less from adding more workers and more from higher productivity: creating more value with the same number of people, or even fewer.
As a result, productivity growth is high on the agenda of both businesses and policymakers. It requires investment in education, innovation, technology and AI, but also reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens and making smarter use of scarce labour and physical space.
Economic growth is not an end in itself, but it enables investment in broader prosperity and well-being, such as accessible healthcare, a strong defence sector and the energy transition.
By analysing productivity across sectors and the economy as a whole, PwC identifies opportunities for sustainable growth, innovation and future-proof prosperity.
PwC's contribution to the debate on the business climate
A sustainable and resilient economy is crucial for the prosperity and well-being of the Netherlands. Such an economy requires a good business climate. A climate in which government and business cooperate well and policy is predictable, in which the Netherlands has the best (digital) infrastructure and in which a future-proof tax system is the foundation. PwC wants to contribute to this by building a bridge between government and business. By using research to enrich the social debate on the business climate and by providing solutions for bottlenecks in policy.
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Our chief economist office
PwC’s Chief Economist Office, headed by chief economist Barbara Baarsma, researches the impact of major social and economic trends for our clients, stakeholders and society. By publishing our research reports on our website and other channels, we share our knowledge with society and contribute to the public debate. Internally this research contributes to a better knowledge and understanding of the subjects that are high on the agenda of our clients and relations.
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Barbara Baarsma
Chief economist, PwC Netherlands
Barbara is chief economist of PwC Netherlands and in this role she heads the economic office of PwC. Since 2009, she has been professor of Applied Economics at the University of Amsterdam. In addition, she holds various other societal positions.
