Trend Megatrend 6: growth of the middle class and of consumption worldwide
Summary
The sixth of the seven. The report treats middle class expansion as an economic force in its own right: it brings investment opportunity, changes what people buy and lifts total purchasing power, which raises global demand, and the report holds that the larger the middle class share, the larger the economy grows over the long run.
Classification
Main topicMacroeconomy & Finance
Region menusGlobal
Impactscope:global
Time horizon11-30 years (2026-07-26)
Last updated2026-07-29 04:49:52
Evidence 2
- Megatrends 2040: Volatility, Uncertainty, Resourcefulness Hellenic Republic, Presidency of the Government — Working Group on Strategic Foresight and Futures Research (표지·판권면 로고로만 확인) page=14;section=Megatrend 6 Growth of middle class and consumption on a global level 2022-07 (문헌 본문에 발행일 표기 없음 — PDF 메타데이터 생성일 2022-07-25 기준) accessed 2026-07-26
- Megatrends 2040: Volatility, Uncertainty, Resourcefulness Hellenic Republic, Presidency of the Government — Working Group on Strategic Foresight and Futures Research (표지·판권면 로고로만 확인) page=14;section=Megatrend 6 Growth of middle class and consumption on a global level 2022-07 (문헌 본문에 발행일 표기 없음 — PDF 메타데이터 생성일 2022-07-25 기준) accessed 2026-07-26
Observed signals 5
- SignalBrookings tipping point: half the world middle class in 2018, 5.3 billion projected for 2030
- SignalChina and India projected at 66% of the world middle class by 2030
- SignalChinese tourist arrivals in Greece up 31% in 2019
- SignalConsumption shift said to raise food, water and energy demand by 35%, 40% and 50% by 2030
- SignalWorld Bank forecasts cited as offsetting the slowdown in developed markets
Part of issues 4
- IssueClaim that a stronger middle class produces trust and virtuous governance1 trends · 1 signals
- IssueConsumption moving from basic goods to luxury goods and services1 trends · 0 signals
- IssueFood and water security under consumption and climate pressure3 trends · 1 signals
- IssueWater demand rises exponentially while supply turns volatile4 trends · 1 signals
Relation types: constitutes · supports
Public id: fm-926693584268