In the late eighteenth century, the Industrial Revolution occurred, marking a significant period of mass mechanized production, increased use of fossil fuels, and rapid population growth. This brought economic prosperity and progress and marked the onset of climate change. Due to the heightened CO2 emissions, the Earth is warming faster than ever. Climate change is a significant driver of the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), offering additional benefits. Did you know the Netherlands is one of the best countries for electric cars? Why go electric? Electric cars are gaining popularity rapi ..read more

The Netherlands is a great country to establish your business. The little country is known for it’s strategically significant geographical location, making it the perfect hub for business. When you run your business, you need to pay taxes. That is no different in the Netherlands. Often, entrepreneurs start a General Partnership (Dutch: vof) or proprietorship (Dutch: eenmanszaak). With these business forms, you must annually file earnings from your business via an income tax return. But what are these income taxes, when do they need to be filed, and how much do they amount for? Income Tax Incom ..read more

The Netherlands is popular among expats and is primarily known for its excellent education and healthcare systems. The quality of life is high, with a good work-life balance and an inclusive, tolerant society. Dutch people also speak English well, making expats feel welcome. Additionally, the Netherlands is known as one of the happiest countries in the world. But where in the Netherlands can you find the best places to live? Every year, research firm Atlas Research conducts a study on the most attractive places to live, considering more than 50 indicators like employment opportunities, univer ..read more

One of the critical indicators of a country that is growing economically is growing investments within the country. More assets mean that the economy's productive capacity has space to grow, and there are more possibilities for the expenditure of capital spending, like buying more innovative machines or robots that enable automation. Hence, increasing these investments will likely boost economic growth (Pettinger, 2019). In May 2023, the volume of investments in tangible fixed assets increased by 7 per cent in the Netherlands. And that is excellent news (CBS, 2023). Increased Investments The 7 ..read more

After World War 2, the Netherlands was partially destroyed, the economy had to be rebuilt, and wounds had to be healed. But it was also a time when finally, there was more calmness, and people could feel safe again. This led to a big baby boom. Full schools in the fifties first signified the following years; then, many people flowed to higher education and the labour market in the sixties. In the seventies, there were significant construction efforts to house all these boomers. In 2011, many of this generation started to enjoy their well-deserved retirement (CBS, 2015). Well-deserved? For sure ..read more

With the most prominent European port in Rotterdam, a world-class airport in Amsterdam and high-speed rail and roads, the Netherlands is very well connected to the rest of the world. Transportation within the Netherlands is quick, easy, and often offered more sustainably compared to other countries. But what is the key behind the success of the Dutch infrastructure? First and foremost, systematic planning and long-term vision are at the core of Dutch infrastructure success. The Dutch government has a strategic approach to infrastructure development, focusing on sustainable and future-proof so ..read more

The Netherlands might be small, but economically they are significant. Located on the west coast of Europe, with a big harbour and an excellent infrastructure, the country is a fantastic gateway to or from Europe. But how can a foreign entrepreneur become successful in the Netherlands, and why is it such a great country to conduct business in? Dynamic location Even though the Netherlands is one of the smallest countries in the world, they have the sixth most competitive economy according to the World Competitive Center (2023). Moreover, the Dutch are the most proficient English speakers in the ..read more

In the last year, the Dutch economy has shown an increase of 4.5%. In the Netherlands, 2022 was the first year to be mostly free of COVID-19 sanctions. However, it was also the year that the war in Ukraine started, the energy crisis and the relatively high inflation. The combination of all these factors with the fact that in the third quarter of 2022, the economy showed a slight decline made for people to fear a recession. However, the economy recovered and even increased in the last quarter of 2022 (NOS, 2023). Remarkable Since 2014 the economy in the Netherlands has been proliferating, exclu ..read more

Many households in the Netherlands have probably felt that in 2022 utility prices rapidly started to rise. Because of political unrest in other countries, a great gas supplier fell away, which was initially felt in the pockets of most households. Since August 2022, prices have decreased slightly, and the Dutch government has stepped up for its inhabitants. All homes received €190 in both the month of November and December. And households with a low income were also eligible for an extra € 1500 to pay their utility bills. On top of that, the Dutch government set a price cap for energy prices as ..read more

In the last couple of years, grocery shopping in the Netherlands has been transforming significantly. The number of supermarkets has increased, and it is estimated that about 100 physical supermarkets have entered the Dutch market annually. Moreover, even though the number of physical stores is still growing, online stores are rapidly taking over a significant part of the industry. In 2022, over 20% of people sometimes order online (Deloitte, 2022). However, why is the future of grocery delivery questionable, and how are the established supermarkets responding?  Flash Delivery  Flash ..read more