Trends Identified
The rise of Asia continues
The rise of Asia is not a new phenomenon; the rise of Japan and South Korea has been witnessed over the second half of the 20th century. The start of the new millennium saw another boom, with many Asian economies recording high growth rates that took their share of global GDP from 26% to 32% between 2000 and 2014. Our extended long-term forecasts suggest that Asia’s rise will continue up to 2050—not quite at the same pace, but by 2050 it will account for 53% of global GDP.
2015
Long-term macroeconomic forecasts Key trends to 2050
The Economist
The death of ageing
The rich and powerful have long dreamt of the death of ageing, if not of outright immortality. There is now serious money in it. Anti-ageing startup Unity Biotechnology raised US$116 million in 2016 from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel and others to further its research in rejuvenation therapy and prevention of senescence (that is, wear and tear with age). Google-backed biotechnology company Calico and biopharmaceutical company AbbVie invested US$250 million each in 2014 to jointly develop drugs targeting diseases associated with old age.
2017
Foresigth
Singapore, The Centre for Strategic Futures
The riddle of work and income
The revolution of work has long been under discussion, and the industrial world is on the brink of the unknown. The rapid progress of technology that has led to digitisation, robotisation, artificial intelligence and automation is modifying almost all areas of known activity. However, there is currently no clarity as to what the revolution of work ultimately means. Public debate often addresses the significant diminishing of work and traditional workplaces while, on the other hand, welcoming the flourishing of new types of working methods and the creation of workplaces with the aid of new technologies.
2017
Megatrends 2017
Finland, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
Next-Gen Workforce
The retirement of baby boomers and the growth in the millennial workforce requires organizations to create new incentives to attract, develop, and retain a more competitive and flexible labor pool.
2017
Beyond the Noise- The Megatrends of Tomorrow’s World
Deloitte
Surgical optical technology
The result of the practical introduction of new surgical optical equipment to replace (or complement) traditional medical equipment will be a reduction in tissue trauma and a fall not only in the time required for operations, but also the duration of a patient’s stay in hospital. The development of minimally invasive surgery and the creation of complex hybrid systems consisting of nanotechnology and microelectromechanical systems (including 3D and 4D multimodal visualisation systems) will make it possible to use robotics in minimally invasive endoscopic procedures.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
The shale revolution in the United States is turning to exports
The resilience of shale gas and tight oil in the United States, cementing its position as the biggest oil and gas producer in the world even at lower prices.
2017
World energy outlook 2017 executive summary
International Energy Agency (IEA)
Russia and China in 2030: authoritarian alliance or geopolitical rivals?
The relationship between China and Russia is likely to become stronger and Moscow’s dependency on Beijing will grow: Russia will be the junior partner. If Russia can cope with the limitations of this position, it could benefit from such a role.
2016
Global Trendometer - essays on medium- and long-term global trends
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
China and the global shift to the East
The re-election of President Xi Jinping has given China stability in a turbulent world, and has reinforced the state’s mandate to address climate change at a time when other world leaders have faltered over sustainability
2018
8 sustainability trends that will define 2018
Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Regulation of rapidly evolving S&T
The rate of change in science and technology is likely to accelerate, and science and technology are likely to play an increasingly important role in our economy and our lives. Product safety, public trust and competitive advantage will best be served by systems with efficient and timely testing and regulation.
2013
Metascan 3 emerging technologies
Canada, Policy Horizons Canada
Shifts in global economic power
The rapidly developing nations, particularly those with a large working‐age population, that embrace a business ethos, attract investment and improve their education system will gain the most. Emerging nations face the biggest challenge as technology increases the gulf with the developed world; unemployment and migration will continue to
be rampant without significant, sustained investment. The erosion of the middle class, wealth disparity and job losses due to large‐scale automation will increase the risk of social unrest in developed countries.
2017
Workforce of the future The competing forces shaping 2030
PWC