Page 9 - Philippine Development Plan (2017-2022) Abridged Version

Social and Demographic Trends

The number of senior citizens in the world is projected to grow to 1.4 billion by
2030, accounting for more than 25 percent of the populations in Europe and
Northern America, 20 percent in Oceania, 17 percent in Asia and Latin America,
and 6 percent in Africa. The Philippines will remain relatively young for some time.

Inequality may persist in some nations but is likely to decline as many low- and
middle-income countries grow faster than rich ones.

Innovation is predicted to originate in middle-income economies with strong
research and development base, although there is a shift towards private funding
from public spending.

Promising new technologies such as big data analytics, the internet of things,
nanomaterials, and even blockchain technology may potentially disrupt and change
the way things are done.

Environmental Trends

There is a wide consensus among professionals about gradually rising temperatures
and climate volatility. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,
average global temperature increased by 0.85 C between 1880 and 2002, resulting
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in significant yield reductions on major crops such as wheat and maize. The world’s
oceans also continue to warm and polar ice caps continue to melt. Average sea levels
are predicted at 24-30 cm by 2065.

The Paris Agreement of 2015 seeks to address climate change although potential
changes in US policy could undermine implementation. Nevertheless, the local
impact of climate change is driving stakeholders to push for sustainable development.

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