European middle class developments

Strategic Foresight

The European middle class has been eroding in the past decade, due to the economic turmoil as well changing work conditions and further increases of unemployment, especially among young people. | Related Megatrends: Work; Geopower; Inequalities
The share of the European and American middle classes will decrease from 50% in 2016 to just 22% of world's total, by 2030. | Related Megatrends: Geopower; Demography
A sort of "vicious circle" has developed: the crisis has weakened the middle class, which in turn reduced aggregate demand, thereby deepening and prolonging downturn.
| Related Megatrends: Work; Geopower; Inequalities
In Germany, the income share of the middle-income group has fallen from 68% in 1991 to 59% by 2013. | Related Megatrends: Work; Geopower; Inequalities

CCBI seminar series

The CCBI seminar series features monthly presentations by leaders in their respective research fields. The series covers issues concerning both behavioural insights as a policy tool...

PAGE | 15 Jun 2026

Toolkit to reduce consumer food waste

The toolkit was developed as part of the European Consumer Food Waste Forum project and it was launched on 5 June 2024 during a public event Learn...

EVENT | 01 Jan 2026

CCBI seminar series

The CCBI seminar series features monthly presentations by leaders in their respective research fields. The series covers issues concerning both behavioural insights as a policy tool...

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Originally Published	27 Sep 2018
Knowledge service \| Metadata	Strategic Foresight \| The Megatrends Hub \| Growing consumerism
Digital Europa Thesaurus (DET)	consumer behaviour distribution of income unemployment working conditions youth unemployment labour market population statistics social statistics

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Toolkit to reduce consumer food waste

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