Trends that may help you adjust your perspetive on what to focus next. Mostly Europe, speaking geographically.
Many trends here are interconnected, so when we see one trend, it's usually 100 other factors we don't account for.
Aging Population: Europe has one of the highest proportions of elderly people in the world. In 2020, about 20% of the European population was 65 or older, and this percentage is expected to rise to 30% by 2050.
Urbanization: More than 70% of the EU population lives in urban areas as of 2020. This trend is expected to continue, leading to increased demand for urban infrastructure and services.
Migration: In 2019, approximately 4.2% of the EU population were non-EU citizens. Migration trends have significant implications for social cohesion, economic development, and political stability.
Decline in Fertility Rates: The total fertility rate in the EU was 1.55 children per woman in 2019, below the replacement level of 2.1. This trend contributes to the aging population issue.
Increase in Obesity: In 2019, about 16% of adults in the EU were obese. This trend is associated with a rise in chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Rise in Renewable Energy: In 2019, renewable energy accounted for 19.7% of total EU energy consumption, up from 9.6% in 2004. This trend is driven by efforts to combat climate change.
Growth in E-commerce: In 2020, 71% of individuals in the EU made an online purchase, up from 56% in 2010. This trend has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Decline in Traditional Media: In 2019, only 38% of EU individuals read printed newspapers at least once a week, down from 47% in 2013. This trend reflects the shift towards digital media.
Increase in Remote Work: In 2020, 37% of EU employees worked from home occasionally, up from 25% in 2019. This trend has been driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rise in Artificial Intelligence: AI patent applications in Europe increased by 12% annually between 2015 and 2019. This trend reflects the growing importance of AI in the economy.
Decline in Cash Payments: In 2019, card payments accounted for 48% of all payment transactions in the EU, up from 39% in 2015. This trend is driven by the rise of digital payments.
Increase in Cybersecurity Threats: In 2020, 28% of EU businesses reported experiencing a cybersecurity incident, up from 24% in 2019. This trend reflects the growing digitalization of the economy.
Growth in Veganism and Vegetarianism: In 2020, 10% of the UK population identified as vegan or vegetarian, up from 6% in 2016. This trend is driven by concerns about health, animal welfare, and the environment.
Rise in Mental Health Issues: In 2019, 7% of the EU population reported chronic depression, up from 6.6% in 2014. This trend has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Decline in Tobacco Consumption: In 2019, 23% of EU individuals were smokers, down from 26% in 2014. This trend reflects the success of public health campaigns and regulations aimed at reducing tobacco use.
Increase in Internet Usage: In 2020, 90% of individuals in the EU used the internet regularly, up from 75% in 2010. This trend reflects the growing digitalization of society.
Rise in Electric Vehicles: In 2020, electric vehicles accounted for 10.5% of new car registrations in the EU, up from 3% in 2019. This trend is driven by efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Growth in Online Education: In 2020, 65% of individuals in the EU used the internet for online learning, up from 50% in 2010. This trend has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Decline in Alcohol Consumption: In 2019, 76% of EU individuals consumed alcohol, down from 79% in 2014. This trend reflects the success of public health campaigns aimed at reducing alcohol use.
Increase in Single-Person Households: In 2020, 34% of households in the EU were single-person households, up from 31% in 2010. This trend reflects changing social norms and an aging population.