New edition of Global Entrepeneurship Monitor (GEM)
Dutch Entrepreneurship in a European Perspective
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) annually collects internationally comparable data on the level and characteristics of entrepreneurial activities and the entrepreneurship ecosystem. In 2023, 49 countries participated, including 22 European nations, making GEM the largest international study on entrepreneurship worldwide. This Panteia report describes the results for the Netherlands and compares them with the European as well as with all participating countries. The GEM has existed since the early 2000s, enabling comparisons over time. Panteia has been involved in GEM from the beginning. Information was gathered through a survey among the adult population (Adult Population Survey) and a survey among national experts (National Expert Survey).
A few illustrative results:
- In 2023, 13.7% of the workforce was actively involved in starting a business or running a young business (Total early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity, TEA), an increase from 2022 (12.5%). The rise mainly involves emerging entrepreneurs. Among the European countries, the Netherlands has the second-highest TEA after Latvia, followed by Croatia, Estonia, and the United Kingdom. The relatively high number of self-employed individuals may be one of the contributing factors, along with a favorable entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- One-third (33%) of this group (of starting and newly launched entrepreneurs) reported that starting a business was more difficult in 2023 than the year before, a rate lower than the European average (40%). In the Netherlands, the percentage seeing opportunities to start a business is significantly higher, and the percentage with fear of failure is notably lower than in other European countries. However, the proportion of individuals who feel they have sufficient knowledge, skills, and experience (capabilities) is considerably lower.
- About half (49%) of this group of starting and new entrepreneurs expect to create one or more jobs over the next five years, with 15% expecting to create six or more jobs. Nearly half, however, do not expect to create any jobs in the next five years, likely including many self-employed individuals. The expected growth in job numbers in the Netherlands is slightly lower than the average in participating European countries.
- A third (33%) of this group of entrepreneurs intends to export, matching the average of participating European countries.
- GEM also collects data on established entrepreneurship (Established Business Ownership rate or EBO), which includes individuals who own a business older than 42 months. About 6.7% of the workforce are established entrepreneurs, a share comparable to the European average. Both figures show a slight increase compared to 2022.
- GEM calculates an overall score for the entrepreneurship ecosystem, the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI). With a score of 5.9, the ecosystem is rated better than the European average (4.8). Among participating European countries, the Netherlands ranks third after Lithuania and Estonia, ahead of Switzerland and France. The Netherlands scores particularly well in education, cultural and social norms, entry opportunities (barriers and regulation), and availability of financing.
Read the full report (in Dutch) or view the infographic.
Interested in reports from previous years? Visit this page.
