Megatrend

A Megatrend is a long-term driving force that is observable now and will continue to have a global impact in years to come

Different types of inequalities in society are persistent and widening, despite efforts to address them and despite the progress in some areas. The number of people living in extreme poverty has decreased, but the gap between the wealthiest and poorest is expanding. Inequalities in education, the labour market and health are widening, and gender and territorial inequalities persist. Crucial for a prosperous society, outcomes are still being shaped by gender, age, ethnicity, social class, migration status and location. The pandemic exposed and exacerbated many inequalities too. 

Alongside the uneven distribution of wealth and income, an inequality among the adverse effects of climate change is growing around the world. While urgent sustainability solutions are delivered, the ‘green’ transition will need to improve everyone’s situation. Inequality is holding economic growth back and can threaten democracy and social cohesion if there is an unequal influence on setting the ‘rules of the game’. More than ever before, there is a growing consensus that inequality is an urgent issue that should be at the top of policymakers’ agenda.

This Megatrend is part of the Megatrends Hub