These are the 11 trends of the future

Study by the Zukunftsinstitut These are the 11 trends of the future

2025-03-24 From Agnes Panjas | Translated by AI 5 min Reading Time

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As part of a study, the Zukunftsinstitut has presented 11 trends of the future that will shape the economy and society in the coming years and could also have a major impact on the future of companies.

As part of its "Megatrends" study, the Zukunftsinstitut presents 11 trends of the future that can help European companies to position themselves for the future.(Image: patpitchaya - stock.adobe.com) — As part of its "Megatrends" study, the Zukunftsinstitut presents 11 trends of the future that can help European companies to position themselves for the future.
(Image: patpitchaya - stock.adobe.com)

Today's world is changing at an ever-increasing pace, and with it comes greater complexity and uncertainty, which requires companies to be increasingly adaptable.

Harry Gatterer, CEO of the Zukunftsinstitut, also knows how quickly companies have to change today. Accordingly, he warns: "The speed of change is unprecedented. If you don't actively engage with global developments, you risk being left behind." In order to provide companies with a guide in an increasingly complex world, the Zukunftsinstitut highlights 11 key trends that will significantly change our society and economy in the future.

Trend 1: Future of Work

Harry Gatterer is CEO of the Zukunftsinstitut.(Image: Thomas Kamenar) — Harry Gatterer is CEO of the Zukunftsinstitut.
(Image: Thomas Kamenar)

The trend describes the comprehensive reshaping of the world of workdue to technological, social and economic developments. Work has evolved far beyond simply securing a livelihood and is increasingly seen as an important part of identity. This trend surpasses traditional New Work approaches and reflects the global challenges and opportunities arising from digitalization, automation, demographic change and changing values. Companies and employees are facing the challenge of shaping work in a new way - more flexible, meaningful and adaptable than ever before.

Trend 2: Connectivity

The connectivity trend refers to the increasing networking of people, organizations, machines and systems that form the modern foundation of society and the economy. However, connectivity is not just about technological advances, but also about a social principle that is changing the interaction between individuals, groups and devices. The focus is not on the technology itself, but on its application: How we build relationships, share resources and disseminate knowledge. For this reason, this trend is not referred to as "digitalization", but rather emphasizes the profound social and economic changes that result from networked structures.

Trend 3: Demographic change

Demographic change encompasses far more than the ageing society in industrialized countries - it is a dynamic and sometimes even contradictory development worldwide. While some regions are focusing on the challenges of an ageing population, other countries are experiencing strong population growth and urbanization spurts. The increase in single households, migration between urban and rural areas or even countries and other lifestyles are changing values, needs and attitudes - and therefore social and economic structures on a global level.

About the Zukunftsinstitut:

The Zukunftsinstitut is a research and consulting company focused on megatrends and future analysis in the German-speaking area.
Since 1998, the institute has been assisting companies and organizations in understanding societal changes and responding to them strategically.
Using evidence-based methods and interdisciplinary research, the team of 22 experts in Vienna and Frankfurt provides in-depth analyses and practical future strategies.

Trend 4: Globalization

People, goods, capital and information are more interconnected today than ever before - and far beyond national borders. Globalization is far more than just an economic phenomenon. Globalization is driving profound social, cultural and technological changes and influencing almost all areas of life.

Trend 5: Mobility

The way people and goods move around is influenced by environmental, technological, social and economic factors. Mobility is also increasingly being shaped by other trends such as eco-intelligence, urbanization and connectivity. Sustainable drive technologies, smart cities and digital networking are fundamentally changing mobility concepts, making them more efficient, flexible and environmentally friendly.

Trend 6: Urbanization

Increasing urbanization is creating both new opportunities and complex challenges that are having a profound impact on economic, social and infrastructural structures. Urbanization means densification at various levels: Population figures are rising, living space is becoming scarcer, economic power and financial resources are increasingly concentrated in urban centers. At the same time, mobility, the labor market and infrastructure are subject to change, while new social dynamics bring additional challenges.

Trend 7: Eco-intelligence

Eco-intelligence describes the development of a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between humans and nature in an ecological context. While classical ecology focused on the relationships between living beings and their environment and neo-ecology included economic and technological aspects, today ecology is seen as an essential component of social systems. The focus is not only on ecological challenges, but also on the responsibility of the individual and their ability to develop sustainable solutions.

Trend 8: Identity dynamics

The identity dynamics trend describes the shift towards more flexible and diverse concepts of identity, which are gaining in importance both individually and collectively. Although the term identity often suggests constancy, it is subject to continuous change. Formerly strongly characterized by categories such as origin, gender or social affiliation, identity is now developing into a cultural technique that is actively shaped, negotiated and continuously redefined.

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Trend 9: Knowledge culture

The pursuit of knowledge drives social progress, economic success and personal development. However, the digital transformation and increasing networking have significantly expanded access to information. The knowledge culture trend describes this change and illustrates how knowledge is generated, shared and used in a globally networked society. Knowledge culture also encompasses the creation of knowledge, its organization and its influence on social, economic and technological systems.

Trend 10: Health

Today, health has a broader meaning than just a medical concern. It extends to all areas of life and reflects the transition from a purely disease-centered view to a holistic understanding of well-being that encompasses physical, mental and social aspects. This expanded understanding of health not only influences the healthcare system, but also shapes lifestyles, working environments and the development of urban spaces - from preventive medicine and mental health to sustainable living and working concepts.

Trend 11: Security

Security is dynamic and can be perceived as something different depending on the reality of the individual's life. Security encompasses physical survival, financial stability, reliable supply chains, trust in institutions and social security. Regardless of its form, security is and remains a fundamental human need - and as a trend, a key driver of individual, social and economic developments worldwide.

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