Skip navigation

Society


Overview

Question:

How will we interact in the future? What demographic and cultural changes could impact society in 2030?


Submit Trends:http://crowdsensor.mit.edu/trends/2016/society
Rules:All entrants must agree to the Crowdsensor rules and Terms of Use
Deadline: Friday, September 30 at 11:59:59 PM Singapore Time

 

 

Background

A society is defined by its people, who they are and how they interact with one another. When we think of a Smart City, of particular concern is the type of society that will be utilizing it, and how different sub-groups within that society can take advantage of the city in different ways.

One important way to look at a society is in terms of its demographics -- the types of nationalities, races, ages or genders it comprises. In recent news, increasing immigration has arisen as one of the more prominent concerns for many societies around the world. Rapid changes to the composition of a nation’s population can affect the demands for public infrastructure such as hospitals or schools, as they become utilized beyond their original capacity. Changing demographics can also alter the culture of a region, leading to a greater risk of friction in a previously peaceful society, as beliefs and lifestyles clash.

In Singapore, a significant concern is the rapidly aging population. With the average birth rate at around 1.2, the number of Singaporeans able to support the aging generation of baby-boomers is dwindling. This could lead to greater pressures on the workforce, growing impetus to welcome more immigrants,  which could further diversify society, and growing demand for the healthcare industry to provide services for the elderly. 

 

Resources for Trend Authors

See this Sample Trend in the Technology Category for an example of how a completed trend submission might look.