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Outlook on the Global Agenda 2014

  • About this report
    • Introduction by Klaus Schwab
    • Welcome from Martina Gmür
    • Preface by Drew Gilpin Faust
    • Making the Outlook on the Global Agenda 2014
  • Top 10 trends of 2014
    • Introduction
    • 1. Rising societal tensions in the Middle East and North Africa
    • 2. Widening income disparities
    • 3. Persistent structural unemployment
    • 4. Intensifying cyber threats
    • 5. Inaction on climate change
    • 6. Diminishing confidence in economic policies
    • 7. A lack of values in leadership
    • 8. The expanding middle class in Asia
    • 9. The growing importance of megacities
    • 10. The rapid spread of misinformation online
    • In focus: The trends we need to know more about
  • Regional challenges
    • Donald Kaberuka: The cautious optimist
    • Building for the better: tackling inequality, unemployment and corruption
  • Networked thinking
    • Values
    • Employment
    • Interconnectivity, visualised
    • Interactive council map
  • Future agenda
    • The new space race
    • Mapping the future: The technologies changing our lives
    • The future of biotechnology
    • The future of shale gas
    • The future of democracy
    • The future of surveillance
    • The future of the Arctic
    • The future of multinationals
  • Browse by topic
    • Economics and Growth
    • Education
    • Energy
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Environment
    • Finance
    • Geopolitics
    • Governance
    • Health and Well-being
    • Hyperconnectivity
    • Innovation
    • Infrastructure
    • Risk
    • Sustainability
    • Society
    • Technology
    • Unemployment
    • Youth
  • Download a PDF version of this report
  • Download a calendar of 2014’s most significant events
Outlook on the Global Agenda 2014 Home
  • Report Home
  • About this report
    • Introduction by Klaus Schwab
    • Welcome from Martina Gmür
    • Preface by Drew Gilpin Faust
    • Making the Outlook on the Global Agenda 2014
  • Top 10 trends of 2014
    • Introduction
    • 1. Rising societal tensions in the Middle East and North Africa
    • 2. Widening income disparities
    • 3. Persistent structural unemployment
    • 4. Intensifying cyber threats
    • 5. Inaction on climate change
    • 6. Diminishing confidence in economic policies
    • 7. A lack of values in leadership
    • 8. The expanding middle class in Asia
    • 9. The growing importance of megacities
    • 10. The rapid spread of misinformation online
    • In focus: The trends we need to know more about
  • Regional challenges
    • Donald Kaberuka: The cautious optimist
    • Building for the better: tackling inequality, unemployment and corruption
  • Networked thinking
    • Values
    • Employment
    • Interconnectivity, visualised
    • Interactive council map
  • Future agenda
    • The new space race
    • Mapping the future: The technologies changing our lives
    • The future of biotechnology
    • The future of shale gas
    • The future of democracy
    • The future of surveillance
    • The future of the Arctic
    • The future of multinationals
  • Browse by topic
    • Economics and Growth
    • Education
    • Energy
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Environment
    • Finance
    • Geopolitics
    • Governance
    • Health and Well-being
    • Hyperconnectivity
    • Innovation
    • Infrastructure
    • Risk
    • Sustainability
    • Society
    • Technology
    • Unemployment
    • Youth
  • Download a PDF version of this report
  • Download a calendar of 2014’s most significant events

Top 10 trends of 2014

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Introduction

What are the top trends facing the world in 2014? And what should we do about them? Read more »

What are the top trends facing the world in 2014? And what should we do about them? Read more »

1. Rising societal tensions in the Middle East and Africa

For the post-Arab Spring countries, promise and hope has given way to uncertainty and polarisation. The path remains unclear, but can the potential for good prevail? Read more »

For the post-Arab Spring countries, promise and hope has given way to uncertainty and polarisation. The path remains unclear, but can the potential for good prevail? Read more »

2. Widening income disparities

The difference between rich and poor is becoming more extreme, and as income ineqality widens the wealth gap in major nations, education,  health and social mobility are all threatened. Read more »

3. Persistent structural unemployment

Unemployment is threatening our social fabric and creating unrest. What can governments and businesses do to ensure career opportunities for young people? Read more »

4. Intensifying cyber threats

Digital warfare is more visible than ever before, but how can governments, private firms and NGOs protect themselves from this new breed of attack? Read more »

5. Inaction on climate change

Climate change has the potential to wipe out 20 years of economic and social development. Action is being taken and we’re moving in the right direction, but not fast enough, so what more can be done? Read more »

6. Diminishing confidence in economic policies

People – and especially young people – have lost faith in economic policy. What lessons can we learn from the current crisis to rebuild confidence? Read more »

People – and especially young people – have lost faith in economic policy. What lessons can we learn from the current crisis to rebuild confidence? Read more »

7. A lack of values in leadership

Leaders should be driven by something that moves us forward together. How can they ensure an inclusive global vision, untainted by self-interest? Read more »

8. The expanding middle class in Asia

The growth of Asia’s middle class is bringing a tremendous rise in living standards and a reduction of conflict in the region. But it also presents a challenge to the environment. Read more »

9. The growing importance of megacities

What defines the economic and social success of a city? Understanding cities and how they can remain resilient could hold the key to solving some of our biggest challenges. Read more »

10. The rapid spread of misinformation online

Blaming Twitter for misinformation is easy, but ignores the social and political context. How can we understand such large volumes of data that move so quickly? Read more »

In focus

There are some trends that require special attention. To identify the gaps in our collective knowledge, we asked our Survey respondents to name the challenges they feel they know the least about. Read more »

There are some trends that require special attention. To identify the gaps in our collective knowledge, we asked our Survey respondents to name the challenges they feel they know the least about. Read more »

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