By 2050, our world will face a complex web of interconnected challenges. From persistent poverty and hunger to climate change and resource scarcity, the next three decades will test humanity’s capacity for innovation and collective action. These are not just projections—they are urgent signals demanding our immediate attention and strategic response.
This analysis breaks down the critical global trends that will reshape our planet, offering a clear-eyed view of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Poverty
- Projection: Nearly 450 million people living in extreme poverty
- Global Population: 9.7 billion
- Poverty Rate: Approximately 4.5%
- Hardest Hit Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (342 million people in poverty)
- Source: UNDP (2023)
Hunger
- Malnourished Population: Approximately 230 million
- Malnutrition Rate: Around 2.5%
- Most Affected Regions:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: 110 million
- Central and Southern Asia: 45 million
- Source: UNDP (2023)
Employment
- Job Creation Needed: 531 million new jobs (2020-2030)
- Employment Growth Rate: 1.47%
- Fastest Growing Region: Middle East and North Africa (3.33% growth)
- Source: Merotto et al. (2018)
Climate and Environment
World Temperature
- CO2 Emissions: Projected to reach 32 Gt by 2050
- Temperature Rise: Potentially 2.6°C by 2100 if current trends continue
- Source: IEA (2021)
Resource Extraction
- Minerals/Metals Needed: Over 3 billion tonnes (for energy transition)
- Potential Resource Extraction Increase: 60% from 2020 levels by 2060
- Goal: Limit global temperature increase to below 2°C
- Source: UNEP (2024)
Water Stress
- Population Affected: 1 billion people (10% of global population)
- Scenario: Extremely high water stress
- Temperature Scenario: Limiting global rise to 1.3°C-2.4°C by 2100
- Source: Kuzma et al. (2023)
These projections highlight significant challenges in poverty, hunger, employment, climate change, resource management, and water security that the world will face by 2050.
Summary:
