10 MEGA-TRENDS SHAPING
OUR FUTURE IN 2023
Insights for decision-making about tomorrow
Megatrends are long-term powerful and transformative forces with irreversible consequences that can change the global economy and society.
We picked the megatrends affecting 10 important sectors in flux. If we understand these megatrends and their driving forces, we can identify areas for intervention.
10 MEGA-TRENDS
MATERIALS
REVOLUTION
MEGATREND 1
Materials will be designed by machines with highly specific properties and come from sources undiscovered yet. This is the new frontier for the 5th industrial revolution.
DEVALUATION
OF RAW DATA
MEGATREND 2
Personalized marketing will change, and the focus on data aggregation will grow due to the growing digital economy under more strict data protection regulations.
TECHNOLOGICAL VULNERABILITIES
MEGATREND 3
Cyber risks will grow; cyber security investments will increase, and insurance coverage will be necessary to mitigate impacts. We are as strong as the weakest link in this complex web.
ENERGY BOUNDARIES
MEGATREND 4
Investments will be driven by renewables and green technologies. Carbon-based energy will remain important. The estimated energy investments in MENA are over $30 billion a year till 2050.
SAVING
ECOSYSTEMS
MEGATREND 5
Companies are taking the lead to become net-positive and ESG assets will be central to future investment, with expectations to cross $50 trillion by 2025.
BORDERLESS
WORLD FLUID ECONOMIES
MEGATREND 6
Businesses and jobs will be managed online. Millions will join the gig economy. More than two-thirds of new value over the next decade will be based on digital business models.
DIGITAL
REALITIES
MEGATREND 7
Games and online social interactions will be more realistic. Video games industry is expected to reach $321 billion by 2026 and Metaverse opportunities to range from $8 trillion to $13 trillion by 2030.
LIFE WITH
AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS
MEGATREND 8
Global robot market is expected to exceed $94 billion by 2028. Automation will lead the way. AI contribution in GDP is expected to grow by 20-34% annually across the MENA region.
FUTURE
HUMANITY
MEGATREND 9
Unemployment in MENA is a real risk and mental health needs to be better managed. Greatest returns may be found among the least advanced countries and least educated populations.
ADVANCED HEALTH AND NUTRITION
MEGATREND 10
Advances in medicine and diet will increase life expectancy, but such benefits are not enjoyed by everyone. Under-funding of interventions in non-communicable diseases has a passive impact.