site.btaDutch People Want Their Government to Be More Active in Digitalization, but Few See It as a Key Election Issue

Half of all Dutch citizens are concerned about their online security, and there is broad support in society for more active government involvement in the field of digitalization. Despite this, only a minority of them will take digitalization into account when making their choice in the upcoming early parliamentary elections exactly one month from now, on October 29, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos I&O.

A previous study by the agency also showed that digital insecurity ranks third among a total of 15 problem areas that concern the Dutch with 73%, after housing shortages and polarization in society. Half (48%) fear that digital developments could lead to greater social inequality.

There is strong support for digitalization as a solution to the labor shortage. Three-quarters of the respondents agree with the statement that their country should actively retrain workers in sectors facing shortages, such as information and communication technologies and healthcare. Support for this more decisive policy is especially strong among Dutch citizens over 25 and voters of at least four parties expected to enter the new parliament.

Seven out of ten Dutch people agree with the statement that digital security is just as important for the future of their country as good healthcare and education. The same percentage (68 percent) believe that the Netherlands should invest more in its digital security.

Six out of ten Dutch people (63%) believe that a strong digital economy helps preserve the country's independence and security. Half of the Dutch (52%) believe that investments in digital defense are more important than investments in traditional defense.

Eight out of ten Dutch people (82%) agree with the statement that citizens and businesses share the responsibility for preventing digital attacks.

Despite the fact that the Dutch are concerned about their online security, recognize the importance of digitalization for the economy, and believe that it is good for the government to focus on it, they take "digitalization" into account only to a limited extent when voting on October 29. One in five Dutch citizens say that digitalization is "important" in their choice of whom to vote for. But when the Ipsos I&O analysts ask the question: "Which of the following topics play an important role in your choice of preferred party?", only 2 percent choose "digital (in)security". Out of the 23 proposed topics, this one ranks the lowest.

Various studies conducted since June, when it became clear that the country would hold early elections, show that the Dutch are most concerned about the housing crisis, migration, healthcare, inflation and purchasing power, as well as threats of war/defense.