In all countries, life expectancy is increasing and thus the proportion of people over 65 years is growing. With a predicted population of 8.2 billion in 2030, the world economy is predicted to grow by 3 % at the same time. Emerging economies, particularly China, are predicted to gain world market shares, shrinking the share of developed countries. Likewise, chemistry research will move into the growth regions, with Europe and Japan falling behind despite intensification of their innovation efforts.
Growth of World’s Economy
Global Chemical production by Country and Region
(in percent)
Shares in the World’s Chemical Research
(excluding pharmaceuticals)
- Die deutsche chemische Industrie 2030 (PDF),
Verband der Chemischen Industrie e. V. (VCI; German chemical industry association), Frankfurt, Germany, 2012.
Also of interest:
- Predicted Global Population Growth and Consequences (1),
ChemViews,
ChemViews magazine 2012, November.
DOI: 10.1002/chemv.201200132
With the world’s popluation predicted to grow to 9 billion by 2050, what are the consequences for energy demand? - All Industry Roundups
