XML 402 R40.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.4

Employees (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Classes of employee benefits expense [abstract]

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

			€ million			€ million			€ million
Staff costs			2022			2021			2020
Wages and salaries			(5,857)			(5,062)			(5,051)
Social security costs			(587)			(529)			(519)
Other pension costs			(396)			(401)			(419)
Share-based compensation costs			(177)			(161)			(108)
			(7,017)			(6,153)			(6,097)
			‘000			‘000			‘000
Average number of employees during the year (a)			2022			2021			2020
Asia Pacific Africa			73			84			83
The Americas			38			37			38
Europe			27			28			29
			138			149			150
(a) Reduction in number of employees is primarily driven by disposal of ekaterra in 2022.

			€ million			€ million			€ million
Key management compensation			2022			2021			2020
Salaries and short-term employee benefits			(41)			(29)			(28)
Share-based benefits(a)			(15)			(10)			(5)
			(56)			(39)			(33)
Of which: Executive Directors			(12)			(8)			(6)
Other(b)			(44)			(31)			(27)
Non-Executive Directors’ fees			(2)			(2)			(2)
			(58)			(41)			(35)

(a)Share-based benefits are expenses recognised for the period. Share-based benefits compensation on a vesting basis is €12 million (2021: €6 million; 2020: €10 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 94% of total pension liabilities and other post-employment benefit liabilities). 

			31 December 2022									31 December 2021
			Defined benefit pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans						Defined benefit pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans
Discount rate			4.6		%	5.9		%				1.8		%	3.6		%
Inflation			2.8		%	n/a						2.6		%	n/a
Rate of increase in salaries			3.3		%	3.0		%				3.2		%	3.0		%
Rate of increase for pensions in payment (where provided)			2.4		%	n/a						2.5		%	n/a
Rate of increase for pensions in deferment (where provided)			2.6		%	n/a						2.7		%	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 6% to the long-term rate after 4 years. Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for healthcare plans.

4B. Pensions and similar obligations continued

For the UK and Netherlands pension plans, representing approximately 65% of all defined benefit pension liabilities, the assumptions used at 31 December 2022 and 2021 were:

			United Kingdom									Netherlands
			2022			2021						2022			2021
Discount rate			5.0		%	1.9		%				3.7		%	1.1		%
Inflation			3.1		%	3.2		%				2.2		%	1.9		%
Rate of increase in salaries			3.6		%	3.7		%				2.7		%	2.4		%
Rate of increase for pensions in payment (where provided)			2.9		%	3.1		%				2.2		%	1.9		%
Rate of increase for pensions in deferment (where provided)			2.9		%	3.1		%				2.2		%	1.9		%
Number of years a current pensioner is expected to live beyond age 65:
Men			21.8			21.8						21.8			21.6
Women			23.6			23.6						24.0			23.7
Number of years a future pensioner currently aged 45 is expected to live beyond age 65:
Men			22.9			22.8						23.8			23.5
Women			24.8			24.8						26.0			25.5

Summary of Charge to Operating Profit

The charge to the income statement comprises:

						€ million			€ million			€ million
			Notes			2022			2021			2020
Charged to operating profit:
Defined benefit pension and other benefit plans:
Gross service cost						(186)			(228)			(223)
Employee contributions						12			13			17
Special termination benefits						(11)			(15)			(37)
Past service cost including (losses)/gains on curtailments						–			18			20
Settlements						1			1			7
Defined contribution plans						(212)			(190)			(203)
Total operating cost			4A			(396)			(401)			(419)
Finance income/(cost)(a)			5			44			(10)			(9)
Net impact on the income statement (before tax)						(352)			(411)			(428)

(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 surplus/(deficit).

			€ million			€ million			€ million
			2022			2021			2020
Return on plan assets excluding amounts included in net finance income/(cost)			(6,483)			1,958			1,494
Change in asset ceiling excluding amounts included in finance cost			(184)			(17)			2
Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from changes in demographic assumptions			(24)			(4)			246
Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from changes in financial assumptions			6,914			342			(1,414)
Experience gains/(losses) arising on pension plan and other benefit plan liabilities			(760)			126			(78)
Total of defined benefit costs recognised in other comprehensive income			(537)			2,405			250

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 2022									€ million 2021
			Pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans						Pension plans			Other post- employment benefit plans
Fair value of assets			19,361			6						26,686			7
Present value of liabilities			(16,199)			(365)						(23,219)			(431)
Computed surplus/(deficit)			3,162			(359)						3,467			(424)
Irrecoverable surplus(a)			(234)			–						(50)			–
Surplus/(deficit)			2,928			(359)						3,417			(424)
Of which in respect of:
Funded plans in surplus:
Liabilities			(12,030)			–						(18,071)			–
Assets			16,524			–						23,240			–
Aggregate surplus			4,494			–						5,169			–
Irrecoverable surplus(a)			(234)			–						(50)			–
Surplus/(deficit)			4,260			–						5,119			–
Funded plans in deficit:
Liabilities			(3,417)			(39)						(4,245)			(39)
Assets			2,837			6						3,446			7
Surplus/(deficit)			(580)			(33)						(799)			(32)
Unfunded plans:
Pension liability			(752)			(326)						(903)			(392)

(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			2022 Total			UK			Netherlands			world			2021 Total
1 January			14,332			6,099			6,212			26,643			12,499			5,587			5,920			24,006
Employee contributions			1			–			11			12			–			–			13			13
Settlements			–			–			–			–			–			–			–			–
Actual return on plan assets (excluding amounts in net finance income/charge)			(4,870)			(668)			(945)			(6,483)			1,092			560			306			1,958
Change in asset ceiling excluding amounts included in interest expenses			–			–			(184)			(184)			–			–			(17)			(17)
Interest income(a)			264			66			166			496			181			39			124			344
Employer contributions			66			8			229			303			100			72			222			394
Benefit payments			(511)			(161)			(512)			(1,184)			(501)			(159)			(475)			(1,135)
Other			–			(1)			(1)			(2)			–			–			(47)			(47)
Currency retranslation			(578)			–			110			(468)			961			–			166			1,127
31 December			8,704			5,343			5,086			19,133			14,332			6,099			6,212			26,643

(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			2022 Total			UK			Netherlands			world			2021 Total
1 January			(11,453)			(4,937)			(7,260)			(23,650)			(11,148)			(5,060)			(7,511)			(23,719)
Gross service cost			(86)			(4)			(96)			(186)			(127)			(4)			(97)			(228)
Special termination benefits			–			–			(11)			(11)			–			–			(15)			(15)
Past service costs including losses/(gains) on curtailments			–			–			–			–			(1)			–			19			18
Settlements			–			–			1			1			–			–			1			1
Interest cost			(210)			(54)			(188)			(452)			(161)			(35)			(158)			(354)
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in demographic assumptions			1			(50)			25			(24)			(2)			(6)			4			(4)
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in financial assumptions			4,196			1,527			1,191			6,914			225			(23)			140			342
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from experience adjustments			(276)			(377)			(107)			(760)			95			32			(1)			126
Benefit payments			511			161			512			1,184			501			159			475			1,135
Other			–			–			15			15			–			–			48			48
Currency retranslation			479			–			(74)			405			(835)			–			(165)			(1,000)
31 December			(6,838)			(3,734)			(5,992)			(16,564)			(11,453)			(4,937)			(7,260)			(23,650)

Summary of Movements in (Deficit)/Surplus

Movements in (deficit)/surplus during the year:

									Rest of			€ million									Rest of			€ million
			UK			Netherlands			world			2022 Total			UK			Netherlands			world			2021 Total
1 January			2,879			1,162			(1,048)			2,993			1,351			527			(1,591)			287
Gross service cost			(86)			(4)			(96)			(186)			(127)			(4)			(97)			(228)
Employee contributions			1			–			11			12			–			–			13			13
Special termination benefits			–			–			(11)			(11)			–			–			(15)			(15)
Past service costs including losses/(gains) on curtailments			–			–			–			–			(1)			–			19			18
Settlements			–			–			1			1			–			–			1			1
Actual return on plan assets (excluding amounts in net finance income/charge)			(4,870)			(668)			(945)			(6,483)			1,092			560			306			1,958
Change in asset ceiling excluding amounts included in interest expenses			–			–			(184)			(184)			–			–			(17)			(17)
Interest cost			(210)			(54)			(188)			(452)			(161)			(35)			(158)			(354)
Interest income(a)			264			66			166			496			181			39			124			344
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in demographic assumptions			1			(50)			25			(24)			(2)			(6)			4			(4)
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in financial assumptions			4,196			1,527			1,191			6,914			225			(23)			140			342
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from experience adjustments			(276)			(377)			(107)			(760)			95			32			(1)			126
Employer contributions			66			8			229			303			100			72			222			394
Benefit payments			–			–			–			–			–			–			–			–
Other			–			(1)			14			13			–			–			1			1
Currency retranslation			(99)			–			36			(63)			126			–			1			127
31 December			1,866			1,609			(906)			2,569			2,879			1,162			(1,048)			2,993

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

Summary of Movements in Irrevocable Surplus

Movements in irrecoverable surplus during the year:

Rest of

€ million

Rest of

€ million

UK

Netherlands

world

2022 Total

UK

Netherlands

world

2021 Total

1 January

–

–

(50)

(50)

–

–

(26)

(26)

Interest income

–

–

2

2

–

–

(2)

(2)

Change in irrecoverable surplus in excess of interest

–

–

(184)

(184)

–

–

(17)

(17)

Currency retranslations

–

–

(2)

(2)

–

–

(5)

(5)

31 December

–

–

(234)

(234)

–

–

(50)

(50)

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 94% 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)			2022 Total			UK			Netherlands			world(a)			2021 Total
Duration (years)			13			15			11			4 to 18			18			18			12			7 to 21
Active members			8		%	8		%	19		%	11		%	12		%	12		%	20		%	14		%
Deferred members			31		%	38		%	14		%	28		%	36		%	43		%	17		%	33		%
Retired members			61		%	54		%	67		%	61		%	52		%	45		%	63		%	53		%

(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

			€ million															€ million
			31 December 2022															31 December 2021
			UK			Netherlands			Rest of world			2022 Total						UK			Netherlands			Rest of world			2021 Total
Total Assets			8,704			5,343			5,314			19,361						14,332			6,099			6,255			26,686
Assets
Equities Total			284			983			1,363			2,630						1,714			1,676			1,835			5,225
– Europe			61			165			440			666						352			271			569			1,192
– North America			160			604			594			1,358						1,030			1,001			829			2,860
– Other			63			214			329			606						332			404			437			1,173
Fixed Income Total			5,757			3,269			2,696			11,722						8,875			3,353			3,176			15,404
– Government bonds			3,795			1,297			1,215			6,307						6,243			1,179			1,396			8,818
– Investment grade corporate bonds			871			530			905			2,306						1,160			537			1,109			2,806
– Other Fixed Income			1,091			1,442			576			3,109						1,472			1,637			671			3,780
Private Equity			500			90			40			630						424			77			17			518
Property and Real Estate			930			422			387			1,739						1,021			517			356			1,894
Hedge Funds			225			–			76			301						381			–			75			456
Other			1,341			325			317			1,983						1,823			322			359			2,504
Other Plans			–			–			417			417						–			–			421			421
Derivatives			(333)			254			18			(61)						94			154			16			264

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%						-6		%	-7		%	-6		%
Inflation rate			Increase by 0.5%						4		%	7		%	5		%
Life expectancy			Increase by 1 year						4		%	4		%	4		%
Long-term medical cost inflation(a)			Increase by 1.0%						n/a			n/a			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
			2023 Estimate			2022			2021			2020
Company contributions to funded plans:
Defined Benefit			180			176			286			266
Defined Contribution			225			212			190			203
Benefits paid by the Company in respect of unfunded plans:
Defined Benefit			130			127			108			132
Group cash flow in respect of pensions and similar benefits			535			515			584			601

Schedule of Charges Related to Equity-Settled Plans

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

			€  million			€ million			€ million
Income statement charge			2022			2021			2020
Performance share plans			(168)			(150)			(98)
Other plans			(9)			(11)			(10)
			(177)			(161)			(108)

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 2022, 2021 and 2020 and changes during the years ended on these dates is presented below:

			2022			2021			2020
			Number of shares			Number of shares			Number of shares
Outstanding at 1 January			14,318,564			11,371,436			11,137,801
Awarded			10,032,321			7,667,929			4,395,633
Vested			(3,101,598)			(3,425,232)			(3,240,738)
Forfeited			(3,325,397)			(1,295,569)			(921,260)
Outstanding at 31 December			17,923,890			14,318,564			11,371,436

			2022			2021			2020
Share award value information
Fair value per share award during the year			€41.56			€47.64			€43.91

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfEmployeeBenefitsExpenseAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The disclosure of the fair value of defined benefit plan assets. [Refer: Plan assets [member]; Defined benefit plans [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 142
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_142&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsExplanatory
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The disclosure of a net defined benefit liability (asset). [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 140
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_140_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetExplanatory
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The disclosure of a sensitivity analysis for significant actuarial assumptions used to determine the present value of a defined benefit obligation. [Refer: Actuarial assumptions [member]; Defined benefit obligation, at present value]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 145
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_145&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DisclosureOfSensitivityAnalysisForActuarialAssumptionsExplanatory
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The disclosure of actuarial assumptions used in determine benefit liability.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfActuarialAssumptionsUsedInDetermineBenefitLiabilityTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The disclosure of cash flow in respect of pensions and similar postemployment benefits.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfCashFlowInRespectOfPensionsAndSimilarPostEmploymentBenefitsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The disclosure of defined benefit and defined contribution pension costs charged to income.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitAndDefinedContributionPensionCostsChargedToIncomeTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Disclosure of expense from share based payment transactions with employees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfExpenseFromShareBasedPaymentTransactionsWithEmployeesExplanatoryTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The disclosure of pension costs on remeasuresment of net defined benefit liability included in comprehensive income.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfPensionCostsOnRemeasurementOfSurplusDeficitRecognisedInComprehensiveIncomeTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Disclosure of principal defined benefit liabilities and split of liabilities between different categories of plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfPrincipalDefinedBenefitLiabilitiesAndSplitOfLiabilitiesBetweenDifferentCategoriesOfPlanExplanatoryTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Disclosure of reconciliation of change in defined benefit plan asset.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInDefinedBenefitPlanAssetTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Disclosure Of Reconciliation Of Changes In Defined Benefit Plan Deficit Irrecoverable Surplus Explanatory

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInDefinedBenefitPlanDeficitIrrecoverableSurplusExplanatoryTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Disclosure of reconciliation of change in defined benefit plan deficit surplus explanatory

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInDefinedBenefitPlanDeficitSurplusExplanatoryTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Disclosure of reconciliation of change in defined benefit plan liability.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInDefinedBenefitPlanLiabilityTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The disclosure of staff and management costs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_DisclosureOfStaffAndManagementCostsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ul_SummaryOfStatusOfPerformanceSharePlansRelatedChangesAndShareAwardValueInformationTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	ul_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration