Today the world is undergoing profound transformations that impact all aspects of life, especially for young people.
According to the special edition of The Global 50 report by the Dubai Future Foundation, young people aged 15 to 24 make up about 1.2 billion people or 16% of the world’s population.
However, by 2050, this share will decline, and for the first time, the number of people over 65 will exceed the number of young people. Demographic shifts and technological progress present unique challenges and opportunities for the new generation.
On one hand, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) promises to transform our perception of housing and its capabilities.
The report notes that AI will become an integral part of smart homes, making them more energy-efficient and secure. In the future, these homes will be able to anticipate their owners’ needs, adapt to their emotional state, and ensure sustainable resource consumption. Such homes can significantly reduce water and electricity usage, which is vital in the face of growing urbanization and environmental degradation.
This trend underscores the key role of technology in building a sustainable future but also raises concerns about cybersecurity and data privacy. The transition to smart homes requires substantial investments in infrastructure and technology, making them more accessible primarily to developed countries. To make these innovations beneficial to the whole world, global initiatives and partnerships aimed at enhancing technology accessibility are needed.
Another important challenge is rethinking traditional economic indicators. For decades, GDP has been the primary measure of national prosperity, but its shortcomings have become apparent in the face of today’s global challenges.
The Dubai Future Foundation report proposes the concept of “GDP 2.0,” which takes into account social and environmental aspects of economic growth.
This new paradigm offers a more comprehensive approach to measuring national well-being and includes four key dimensions:
1. Social well-being, which considers living standards and access to basic services such as healthcare and education.
2. Fair prosperity, aimed at reducing inequality and ensuring equal access to opportunities for all segments of society.
3. Economic resilience, which focuses on creating conditions for long-term growth that can withstand global crises.
4. Environmental sustainability, ensuring a carbon-neutral footprint and minimizing environmental impact.
Today the younger people play an important role in addressing global issues, facilitated by the development of national social service programs.
The report emphasizes the importance of paid volunteer programs that allow young people to participate in socially beneficial projects. This initiative can provide a platform for developing leadership qualities and professional skills needed for future careers and also foster social solidarity.
Social service programs will have a significant impact not only on the younger generation but also on society as a whole. For example, participation in these programs fosters a sense of responsibility for sustainable development, helps young people understand the real picture of social problems, and stimulates the search for innovative solutions.
Traditional career ladders, oriented toward constant upward mobility, are becoming less relevant in today’s changing job market.
The report suggests the concept of reversed career trajectories, where young people begin their careers with “pension” payments to ensure basic financial security and the freedom to explore professional paths. For older people, paid internships are envisioned to enable them to use their accumulated experience and knowledge to mentor and train the younger generation.
In an era where digitalization and remote work are reshaping employment models, traditional concepts of stability and job security are becoming less significant. Young professionals are increasingly interested in work that benefits society and allows for self-fulfillment. This trend requires a rethinking of employment policy, maintaining labor market flexibility and adaptability, and introducing new social guarantees.
The world faces the task of creating conditions for the prosperity of future generations. Integrating new technologies, rethinking economic indicators, and implementing social service programs are just some of the necessary steps to enable young people to actively participate in building a more just and sustainable world. Policies aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability and improving quality of life should take into account the opinions and interests of young people, as they will determine the future of our society.
The world we are creating today should be one in which young people not only survive but also thrive.
Prepared by: Alen Serik, expert of the Economy.kz portal
