Macro Developments 2040
ONGOING RESEARCH
Analysis of societal megatrends
Macro Developments 2040 explores the foundational drivers shaping society toward 2040 and beyond. It focuses on the big picture, identifying long-term systemic shifts that influence what people value and how they live, work, and interact with their environment. The research connects directly to OvN’s future timeline, providing a structured view of emerging global developments.
Key areas of focus include the impact of AI, rising urban living costs, demographic transitions, mental well-being, and the importance of nature in human environments. Neurotechnology, digital health systems, and next-generation food production are reshaping how societies organise care, nutrition, and everyday life.
As societies become more complex and interconnected, new governance models are emerging that combine public institutions, private actors, and civic participation. Ageing populations in many regions, migration, urbanisation, and shifting household structures are transforming labour markets, housing demand, healthcare systems, and intergenerational dynamics. Closely linked to these shifts is the evolution of social trust. Polarisation, digital misinformation, and unequal access to opportunity can weaken trust, while transparent governance, inclusive policies, and strong local communities can reinforce it.
As a strategic foundation, Macro Developments 2040 supports the development of a 15-year strategic plan. By combining societal, technological, environmental, and governance trends with emerging new horizons, the research builds a living knowledge base that helps guide long-term decision-making and future-oriented planning.
The future is shaped not by isolated systems, but by how they interact.
What the research offers:
Identifies the foundational drivers and systemic shifts shaping society over the next decades.
Explains how changing values influence how people live, work, interact, and relate to their environment.
Builds an evolving repository of insights to guide future-oriented decision-making.
The research functions as a strategic foundation for presentations, future landscape briefings, workshops, scenario development, and long-term future visioning projects.
Image, Radiant Being VI by Mariko Moris