LASTING CHANGE RESULTING FROM THE PANDEMIC

• Here are eight identifiable trends that will have the biggest impact on the global economy.
  

1. The competition between China and the United States, specifically over technology and trade. The economies of China and the US will begin recovering in earnest in 2022, and this growth will spur new innovation and competition between these two powers. 
2. The integration of new, highly advanced technology into industry. New tech like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, blockchain, virtual reality and drones have the potential to totally upend the global economy.
3. The digitalisation of companies. The pandemic encouraged many businesses to transition to work from home or develop some other way of going contactless.
4. The growth of digital assets, like cryptocurrency.
5. The environmental movement, which will transform global industries and production by changing them to fit into more eco-friendly models. Decarbonisation and green energy will play an increasingly large role in the post-pandemic energy sector.
6. The growing demand for socially conscious business practices by consumers and investors.
7. The ageing global population. Global industries will have to stay innovative while also catering to an increasingly older consumer base.
8. The economic and political consequences of an expanding wealth gap – such as growing welfare programmes, a rise in Socialist political policies.