One in four Dutch people dream of starting their own business

According to a survey commissioned by ABN AMRO and carried out by Ipsos I&O, the Netherlands boasts a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Over a quarter of Dutch people who don’t run their own business dream about starting out for themselves. 65% believe they have a hidden entrepreneurial talent. What’s more, in many cases it isn’t just a pie in the sky: a significant number can see themselves running a business within two years. Rather than financial motivation, the main drivers are freedom and personal reasons.

• Over a quarter (27%) of Dutch people who don’t run their own business dream about starting out for themselves.

• Two-thirds (65%) of Dutch people who dream of owning their own business think they have a hidden entrepreneurial talent.

• The vast majority of budding business owners (86%) cite independence, freedom and autonomy as the main reasons for starting out on their own. Personal motivation plays a role for 74%, while just 39% claim that financial gain is their primary incentive.

The survey, completed by 1,000 Dutch people who dream of starting their own business, offers insight into the factors that motivate or inhibit people from starting out on their own. Young people seem particularly keen to make their entrepreneurial dreams come true. In fact, 71% of the 18 to 34-year-olds that responded say there’s a good chance they’ll take the step, compared with 56% of the 35 to 49-year-olds and 38% of those aged 50 to 67.

Desire for freedom

Freedom and personal reasons seem to be the main drivers. Almost everyone (86%) stated that the wish for greater freedom, independence and autonomy plays a role in their plans to start a business. Some have a deep longing to start something entirely their own, while others don’t want to be accountable to a boss. In addition, 74% of the aspiring business owners cited personal reasons, such as wanting to do something they really enjoy. Freedom and personal motivation are more important than the potential financial benefits, with only 39% giving financial reasons as the main incentive for starting their own business.

“When I talk to business owners, they often cite the desire for freedom and independence as the main incentives,” says Anouk van Gerven, Personal Banking for Entrepreneurs consultant at ABN AMRO. “People want to build something that they can leave their mark on. I’m also noticing a shift in our attitudes to work: it’s no longer just a way to earn money, but also a chance to take control and add a sense of purpose to your life. This is a theme for people of all ages.”

Obstacles to the dream of owning a business

Although a significant proportion of the Dutch population dream of starting their own business, a lot of people find the leap into the unknown difficult: a quarter of those who nurture an entrepreneurial dream simply don’t know where to start. They are also uncertain about the right way to prepare: perhaps because they lack specific skills or don’t have a business plan. Alongside these practical issues, financial obstacles can also play a role. Although fewer than half of the respondents cited financial reasons as their primary motivation, finances do seem to be an important obstacle to starting a business. Uncertainty about a regular income and a lack of financing are the most commonly cited obstacles preventing Dutch people from realising their business dreams.

Personal advice for financial ambitions

ABN AMRO offers current and aspiring business owners appointments with Personal Banking for Entrepreneurs consultants, to support them with their financial planning. These consultants help you get a grip on your personal finances and your options regarding personal matters, such as pensions, property and wealth transfers. Read more about how ABN AMRO can help here.

About the Ipsos I&O survey

Ipsos I&O conducted this survey in November 2024 on behalf of ABN AMRO. The respondents were 1,000 Dutch people aged 18 to 67, all of whom dream of owning their own business. The group was representative in terms of gender, age and education. The aim of the survey was to ask people who dream of owning a business about the likelihood of fulfilling this dream, when they think they will start, and what motivates and inhibits them.