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Employees (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Text Block [Abstract]

Summary of Staff Cost, Average Number of Employees and Key Management Compensation

			€ million			€ million			€ million
Staff costs			2021			2020			2019
Wages and salaries			(5,062)			(5,051)			(5,364)
Social security costs			(529)			(519)			(541)
Other pension costs			(401)			(419)			(334)
Share-based compensation costs			(161)			(108)			(151)
			(6,153)			(6,097)			(6,390)
			‘000			‘000			‘000
Average number of employees during the year			2021			2020			2019
Asia/AMET/RUB			84			83			84
The Americas			37			38			40
Europe			28			29			29
			149			150			153

			€ million			€ million			€ million
Key management compensation			2021			2020			2019
Salaries and short-term employee benefits			(29)			(28)			(42)
Share-based benefits(a)			(10)			(5)			(16)
			(39)			(33)			(58)
Of which: Executive Directors			(8)			(6)			(9)
Other(b)			(31)			(27)			(49)
Non-Executive Directors’ fees			(2)			(2)			(2)
			(41)			(35)			(60)

(a)Share-based benefits are expenses recognised for the period. Share-based benefits compensation on a vesting basis is €6 million (2020: €10 million; 2019: €17 million).

(b)Other includes all members of the Unilever Leadership Executive, other than Executive Directors.

Summary of Assumptions, Weighted by Liabilities for Valuation of Defined Benefit Plans

The following table shows the assumptions, weighted by liabilities, used to value the principal defined benefit plans (representing approximately 96% of total pension liabilities and other post-employment benefit liabilities). 

			31 December 2021									31 December 2020
			Defined benefit pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans						Defined benefit pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans
Discount rate			1.8		%	3.6		%				1.3		%	3.3		%
Inflation			2.6		%	n/a						2.2		%	n/a
Rate of increase in salaries			3.2		%	3.0		%				2.9		%	3.0		%
Rate of increase for pensions in payment (where provided)			2.5		%	n/a						2.1		%	n/a
Rate of increase for pensions in deferment (where provided)			2.7		%	n/a						2.3		%	n/a
Long-term medical cost inflation			n/a			5.1		%				n/a			5.1		%

The valuations of other post-employment benefit plans generally assume a higher initial level of medical cost inflation, which falls from 7% to the long-term rate after five years. Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for healthcare plans.

During 2021, changes were made to our discount rate assumption setting methodology to reflect changes made more generally by corporates and their advisers which resulted in a €200 million higher liability.

For the UK and Netherlands pension plans, representing approximately 70% of all defined benefit pension liabilities, the assumptions used at 31 December 2021 and 2020 were:

			United Kingdom									Netherlands
			2021			2020						2021			2020
Discount rate			1.9		%	1.4		%				1.1		%	0.7		%
Inflation			3.2		%	2.7		%				1.9		%	1.5		%
Rate of increase in salaries			3.7		%	3.3		%				2.4		%	2.0		%
Rate of increase for pensions in payment (where provided)			3.1		%	2.7		%				1.9		%	1.5		%
Rate of increase for pensions in deferment (where provided)			3.1		%	2.7		%				1.9		%	1.5		%
Number of years a current pensioner is expected to live beyond age 65:
Men			21.8			21.7						21.6			21.5
Women			23.6			23.4						23.7			23.6
Number of years a future pensioner currently aged 45 is expected to live beyond age 65:
Men			22.8			22.7						23.5			23.4
Women			24.8			24.6						25.5			25.4

Summary of Charge to Operating Profit

The charge to the income statement comprises:

						€ million			€ million			€ million
			Notes			2021			2020			2019
Charged to operating profit:
Defined benefit pension and other benefit plans:
Current service cost						(228)			(223)			(216)
Employee contributions						13			17			17
Special termination benefits						(15)			(37)			(5)
Past service cost including (losses)/gains on curtailments						18			20			65
Settlements						1			7			(2)
Defined contribution plans						(190)			(203)			(193)
Total operating cost			4A			(401)			(419)			(334)
Finance income/(cost)(a)			5			(10)			(9)			(30)
Net impact on the income statement (before tax)						(411)			(428)			(364)

(a)This includes the impact of interest on asset ceiling.

Summary of Amounts Recognised in Statement of Comprehensive Income on Remeasurement of Net Defined Benefit Liability

Amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income on the remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability/asset.

			€ million			€ million			€ million
			2021			2020			2019
Return on plan assets excluding amounts included in net finance income/(cost)			1,958			1,494			2,385
Change in asset ceiling excluding amounts included in finance cost			(17)			2			(37)
Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from changes in demographic assumptions			(4)			246			183
Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from changes in financial assumptions			342			(1,414)			(2,138)
Experience gains/(losses) arising on pension plan and other benefit plan liabilities			126			(78)			(12)
Total of defined benefit costs recognised in other comprehensive income			2,405			250			381

Summary of Assets, Liabilities and Surplus/ (Deficit) Position of Pension and Other Post-Employment Benefit Plans at Balance Sheet Date

The assets, liabilities and surplus/(deficit) position of the pension and other post-employment benefit plans at the balance sheet date were:

			€ million 2021									€ million 2020
			Pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans						Pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans
Fair value of assets			26,686			7						24,023			9
Present value of liabilities			(23,219)			(431)						(23,272)			(447)
Computed net assets/(liabilities)			3,467			(424)						751			(438)
Irrecoverable surplus(a)			(50)			—						(26)			—
Net pension assets/(liabilities)			3,417			(424)						725			(438)
Of which in respect of:
Funded plans in surplus:
Liabilities			(18,071)			—						(18,043)			—
Assets			23,240			—						20,790			1
Aggregate surplus			5,169			—						2,747			1
Irrecoverable surplus(a)			(50)			—						(26)			—
Pension asset net of liabilities			5,119			—						2,721			1
Funded plans in deficit:
Liabilities			(4,245)			(39)						(4,310)			(40)
Assets			3,446			7						3,233			8
Pension liability net of assets			(799)			(32)						(1,077)			(32)
Unfunded plans:
Pension liability			(903)			(392)						(919)			(407)

(a)A surplus is deemed recoverable to the extent that the Group is able to benefit economically from the surplus. Unilever assesses the maximum economic benefit available through a combination of refunds and reductions in future contributions in accordance with local legislation and individual financing arrangements with each of our funded defined benefit plans.

Summary of Movements in Assets

The group of plans within ‘Rest of world’ category in the tables below are not materially different with respect to their risks that would require disaggregated disclosure.

Movements in assets during the year:

									Rest of			€ million									Rest of			€ million
			UK			Netherlands			world			2021 Total			UK			Netherlands			world			2020 Total
1 January			12,499			5,587			5,920			24,006			12,122			5,522			6,082			23,726
Employee contributions			—			—			13			13			—			—			17			17
Settlements			—			—			—			—			—			—			(67)			(67)
Actual return on plan assets (excluding amounts in net finance income/charge)			1,092			560			306			1,958			1,109			206			179			1,494
Change in asset ceiling excluding amounts included in interest expenses			—			—			(17)			(17)			—			—			2			2
Interest income(a)			181			39			124			344			230			60			146			436
Employer contributions			100			72			222			394			104			12			282			398
Benefit payments			(501)			(159)			(475)			(1,135)			(467)			(166)			(507)			(1,140)
Other			—			—			(47)			(47)			46			(47)			21			20
Currency retranslation			961			—			166			1,127			(645)			—			(235)			(880)
31 December			14,332			6,099			6,212			26,643			12,499			5,587			5,920			24,006

(a)This includes the impact of interest on asset ceiling.

Summary of Movements in Liabilities

Movements in liabilities during the year:

									Rest of			€ million									Rest of			€ million
			UK			Netherlands			world			2021 Total			UK			Netherlands			world			2020 Total
1 January			(11,148)			(5,060)			(7,511)			(23,719)			(11,001)			(5,097)			(7,824)			(23,922)
Current service cost			(127)			(4)			(97)			(228)			(114)			(3)			(106)			(223)
Special termination benefits			—			—			(15)			(15)			—			—			(37)			(37)
Past service costs including losses/(gains) on curtailments			(1)			—			19			18			17			—			3			20
Settlements			—			—			1			1			—			—			74			74
Interest cost			(161)			(35)			(158)			(354)			(208)			(55)			(182)			(445)
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in demographic assumptions			(2)			(6)			4			(4)			(1)			245			2			246
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in financial assumptions			225			(23)			140			342			(806)			(354)			(254)			(1,414)
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from experience adjustments			95			32			(1)			126			(67)			(6)			(5)			(78)
Benefit payments			501			159			475			1,135			467			166			507			1,140
Other			—			—			48			48			(44)			44			(38)			(38)
Currency retranslation			(835)			—			(165)			(1,000)			609			—			349			958
31 December			(11,453)			(4,937)			(7,260)			(23,650)			(11,148)			(5,060)			(7,511)			(23,719)

Summary of Movements in (Deficit)/Surplus

Movements in (deficit)/surplus during the year:

									Rest of			€ million									Rest of			€ million
			UK			Netherlands			world			2021 Total			UK			Netherlands			world			2020 Total
1 January			1,351			527			(1,591)			287			1,121			425			(1,742)			(196)
Current service cost			(127)			(4)			(97)			(228)			(114)			(3)			(106)			(223)
Employee contributions			—			—			13			13			—			—			17			17
Special termination benefits			—			—			(15)			(15)			—			—			(37)			(37)
Past service costs including losses/(gains) on curtailments			(1)			—			19			18			17			—			3			20
Settlements			—			—			1			1			—			—			7			7
Actual return on plan assets (excluding amounts in net finance income/charge)			1,092			560			306			1,958			1,109			206			179			1,494
Change in asset ceiling, excluding amounts included in interest expenses			—			—			(17)			(17)			—			—			2			2
Interest cost			(161)			(35)			(158)			(354)			(208)			(55)			(182)			(445)
Interest income(a)			181			39			124			344			230			60			146			436
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in demographic assumptions			(2)			(6)			4			(4)			(1)			245			2			246
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in financial assumptions			225			(23)			140			342			(806)			(354)			(254)			(1,414)
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from experience adjustments			95			32			(1)			126			(67)			(6)			(5)			(78)
Employer contributions			100			72			222			394			104			12			282			398
Benefit payments			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Other			—			—			1			1			2			(3)			(17)			(18)
Currency retranslation			126			—			1			127			(36)			—			114			78
31 December			2,879			1,162			(1,048)			2,993			1,351			527			(1,591)			287

(a)This includes the impact of interest on asset ceiling.

Movements In Irrevocable Surplus

Movements in irrecoverable surplus during the year:

									Rest of			€ million									Rest of			€ million
			UK			Netherlands			world			2021 Total			UK			Netherlands			world			2020 Total
1 January			—			—			(26)			(26)			—			—			(37)			(37)
Interest income			—			—			(2)			(2)			—			—			(1)			(1)
Change in irrecoverable surplus in excess of interest			—			—			(17)			(17)			—			—			2			2
Currency retranslations			—			—			(5)			(5)			—			—			10			10
31 December			—			—			(50)			(50)			—			—			(26)			(26)

Summary of Principal Defined Benefit Liabilities and Split of Liabilities Between Different Categories of Plan Participants

The duration of the principal defined benefit plan liabilities (representing 96% of total pension liabilities and other post-employment benefit liabilities) and the split of liabilities between different categories of plan participants are:

									Rest of												Rest of
			UK			Netherlands			world(a)			2021 Total			UK			Netherlands			world(a)			2020 Total
Duration (years)			18			18			12			7 to 21			18			18			13			7 to 22
Active members			12		%	12		%	20		%	14		%	12		%	12		%	20		%	14		%
Deferred members			36		%	43		%	17		%	33		%	35		%	43		%	17		%	32		%
Retired members			52		%	45		%	63		%	53		%	53		%	45		%	63		%	54		%

(a)Rest of world numbers shown are weighted averages by liabilities.

Schedule of Fair Value of Plans Assets, Which Are Reported Net of Fund Liabilities That Are Not Employee Benefits

The fair value of plan assets, which are reported net of fund liabilities that are not employee benefits, at the end of the reporting period for each category are as follows:

			€ million															€ million
			31 December 2021															31 December 2020
			UK			Netherlands			Rest of world			2021 Total						UK			Netherlands			Rest of world			2020 Total
Total Assets			14,332			6,099			6,255			26,686						12,499			5,587			5,937			24,023
Assets
Equities Total			1,714			1,676			1,835			5,225						4,653			1,837			1,694			8,184
- Europe			352			271			569			1,192						921			437			506			1,864
- North America			1,030			1,001			829			2,860						2,740			894			747			4,381
- Other			332			404			437			1,173						992			506			441			1,939
Fixed Income Total			8,875			3,353			3,176			15,404						5,819			2,766			3,108			11,693
- Government bonds			6,243			1,179			1,396			8,818						3,292			798			1,367			5,457
- Investment grade corporate bonds			1,160			537			1,109			2,806						1,167			540			1,111			2,818
- Other Fixed Income			1,472			1,637			671			3,780						1,360			1,428			630			3,418
Private Equity			424			77			17			518						274			64			9			347
Property and Real Estate			1,021			517			356			1,894						835			456			332			1,623
Hedge Funds			381			—			75			456						318			—			62			380
Other			1,823			322			359			2,504						470			320			377			1,167
Other Plans			—			—			421			421						—			—			370			370
Assets/Fund (Liabilities) that are not employee benefits
Derivatives			94			154			16			264						130			144			(15)			259

Schedule of Sensitivity of Pension Liabilities to Changes in the Weighted Key Assumptions

The sensitivity of the overall pension liabilities to changes in the weighted key assumptions are:

									Change in liabilities
			Change in assumption						UK			Netherlands			Total
Discount rate			Increase by 0.5%						-8		%	-8		%	-8		%
Inflation rate			Increase by 0.5%						7		%	9		%	6		%
Life expectancy			Increase by 1 year						6		%	5		%	5		%
Long-term medical cost inflation(a)			Increase by 1.0%						0		%	0		%	3		%

(a)Long-term medical cost inflation only relates to post-retirement medical plans and its impact on these liabilities.

Schedule of Cash Flow in Respect of Pensions and Similar Post-employment Benefits

The table below sets out these amounts:

			€ million			€ million			€ million			€ million
			2022 Estimate			2021			2020			2019
Company contributions to funded plans:
Defined Benefit(a)			190			286			266			244
Defined Contribution			215			190			203			193
Benefits paid by the Company in respect of unfunded plans:
Defined Benefit			110			108			132			157
Group cash flow in respect of pensions and similar benefits			515			584			601			594

(a)Following the conclusion of the 2019 Funding valuation of the US Unicare Pension Plan, the Group contributed $100 million into the plan in 2020. Deficit contributions to the US Pension Plan are expected to be nil for the following few years.

Schedule of Income Statement Charge

The charge in each of the last three years is shown below, and relates to equity-settled plans:

			€  million			€ million			€ million
Income statement charge			2021			2020			2019
Performance share plans			(150)			(98)			(142)
Other plans			(11)			(10)			(9)
			(161)			(108)			(151)

Summary of Status of Performance Share Plans, Related Changes and Share Award Value Information

A summary of the status of the Performance Share Plans as at 31 December 2021, 2020 and 2019 and changes during the years ended on these dates is presented below:

			2021			2020			2019
			Number of shares			Number of shares			Number of shares
Outstanding at 1 January			11,371,436			11,137,801			13,634,518
Awarded			7,667,929			4,395,633			4,538,771
Vested			(3,425,232)			(3,240,738)			(6,041,011)
Forfeited			(1,295,569)			(921,260)			(994,477)
Outstanding at 31 December			14,318,564			11,371,436			11,137,801

			2021			2020			2019
Share award value information
Fair value per share award during the year			€47.64			€43.91			€48.22

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- Definition

Disclosure of reconciliation of change in defined benefit plan liability.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The disclosure of staff and management costs.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Summary of status of performance share plans, related changes and share award value information explanatory.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Text block [abstract]

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No definition available.

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