The Future Laboratory

26 results

How South Korea is defying Asia’s declining birth rate trend

South Korea’s birth rate rose for a second consecutive year in 2025, with preliminary figures showing 254,000 births –the largest annual increase since 2010.

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Diverging Demographics

Stat: China records lowest birth rate since 1949

China’s birth rate has fallen to its lowest level since 1949, despite renewed government efforts to encourage parenthood.

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Diverging Demographics

Stat: Financial pressures lead younger Americans to reconsider parenthood

A growing number of younger Americans are choosing child-free lives due to increasing financial pressures, according to the latest MassMutual Consumer Spending & Saving Index.

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Diverging Demographics

Stat: Hispanic population drives post-Covid US growth

The Hispanic population in the US grew by 3.2m from April 2020 to July 2023, accounting for 91% of the nation’s overall gain, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data.

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Technology

Hitachi turns to the metaverse for next-generation workforce training

Multinational electronics giant Hitachi is using the metaverse to enable skilled manufacturing workers to run demonstrations on real-world equipment.

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Beauty

Longevity Lifestyles: Future Views

The potential impact that longevity will have on the way we work, organise, connect and find meaning in life could be profound. Here we explore the wider future scenarios to consider.