Trends Identified
An increasingly multipolar world
Globally, economic power is shifting. In the last century or two, a relatively small number of countries, together accounting for about a fifth of the world population, have dominated global economic production and consumption. Today, a significant rebalancing of power is under way, with Asian countries coming to the fore. Economic and demographic projections suggest that the influence of today's wealthiest economies will continue to lessen as other countries and regional power blocs become increasingly important — economically, politically and diplomatically. As global interdependence and trade expands, Europe has opportunities to benefit from improving its resource efficiency and knowledge-based economy.
2015
Assessment of global megatrends - an update
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Less confidence in Trump compared with Merkel and other world leaders
Globally, more people have confidence in Angela Merkel than in Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump. A global median of 42% across 37 countries has confidence in the German chancellor when it comes to world affairs, compared with 28% for China’s leader, 27% for Russia’s leader and 22% for the American president. Confidence in Merkel is especially high in Europe, where about nine-in-ten Dutch and Swedish people (89% each) and about eight-in-ten Germans (81%) and French (79%) trust the chancellor on the world stage. But Merkel also draws considerable confidence in South Korea (74%), Vietnam (72%), Australia (70%) and Japan (67%).
2017
6 trends in international public opinion from our Global Indicators Database
Pew Research Center
Urbanisation
Globally, more people live in urban than rural areas and this is expected to gather pace. But the urban transition is taking place at different rates in different parts of the world. By 2050 most northern regions are expected to be at least 84% urban. In contrast, even by 2050, Africa’s urban dwellers are projected to make up just 62% of its total, and Asia’s 65%. Even in Asia and Africa, though, rapid rural-to-urban shifts are taking place. Urbanisation is a key engine of economic growth, but with this comes the risks of social marginality, conflict and exploitation.
2015
Tomorrow’s world: seven development megatrends challenging NGOs
The Guardian
Lifestyle illnesses on the rise
Globally, the number of obese adults has increased since the year 2000, especially in OECD countries.
2017
Surfing the digital tsunami
Australia, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
The combustion engine will get smarter before it goes away.
Going green doesn’t have to be reserved for the wealthy who can afford to switch to an electric car, says Bertrand Piccard, chairman and pilot of Solar Impulse, who flew a solar plane around the planet. For middle class people struggling to fill up the tank — we were speaking at the start of the Yellow Vest protests in France — there are solutions. He points to an anti-smog device installed on the engine for a few hundred bucks that reduces fuel consumption by 20% and particles by 80%. Built-in AI in your car can help you drive greener and cut another 20% off the bill. “Today, half the energy we use is wasted because we have inefficient systems,” Piccard says. “There will be more carbon taxes because we can’t afford to keep wasting fossil fuels. But we can put systems in place to be less wasteful, to consume less, and in the end we’ll save money.”
2018
50 Big Ideas for 2019: What to watch in the year ahead
LinkedIn
Malicious cyber activity is an increasing security challenge
Government and business services are moving online at higher rates than ever before, as are many of our personal interactions
2017
Surfing the digital tsunami
Australia, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Cleantech becomes a competitive advantage
Governments and organizations are announcing plans to shrink their carbon footprints. The move to cleantech may represent a second industrial revolution that will have effects as great as the first.
2011
Tracking global trends - How six key developments are shaping the business world
EY
Decreasing Defence Expenditures
Governments faced with slow or non-existent growth, rising unemployment and increasing debt burdens will continue to have many competing priorities. Continuing volatility in financial markets might further slow global as well as national economic activity. Defence spending has continued to decline across the Alliance due to reduced economic growth, and the increasing emphasis on social programmes. There is a risk that, even if economic cycles turn more positive, public opinion may prevent some nations from reinvesting in defence. This will have a marked negative impact on defence capabilities in the future. The consequences of current and anticipated near-term reductions in Science and Technology (S&T) investment will have implications on longer-term force capabilities. These deficits could be offset by new, less expensive, and yet-to-be-developed technologies.
2013
Strategic Foresight Analysis 2013 Report
NATO
Role of government
Governments will be compelled to respond to the many grand challenges arising in the future in a context marked by mounting fiscal pressure, eroding public confidence in government and the continuing transition to a multipolar world, with the consequent potential for growing instability.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD
Collaborations
Governments, businesses, international financial institutions, the United Nations, civil society and academia are developing new ways of working with each other in pursuit of compatible objectives.
2015
SDG industry matrix
KPMG