De Nederlandsche Bank N.V. 2015 Annual Report

The Dutch economy has emerged from the crisis and is currently going through a cyclical catch-up phase. In 2015 gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1.9%, the largest increase seen since 2007. While growth is solid, the available pool of talents and labour is not yet used to its fullest extent. By improving this, among other measures, the economy must be put on a structurally and sustainable higher growth path, in the Netherlands and throughout the whole of Europe. Although the Dutch economy is largely catching up under its own steam, its open nature means that robust and sustainable developments in Europe are indispensable for higher structural growth. This presents Dutch and European policymakers with major institutional challenges. The five sections of this chapter set out DNB’s vision in this respect