Families are important because mega-trends are transforming the world and impacting families. These mega-trends include rising global populations, falling birthrates worldwide, aging societies, globalization, the rise of mega-cities, the disintegration of extended families, growing economic independence of women, increasing individualism, the systematic devaluation of families, and concerns about sustainability. Walter Baar discusses how these 10 mega-trends are turning the world upside down and having a deep impact on families.

1. The Return of the Family
Geneva
June 30, 2014

2. Why are families so important at all?

3. Mega-trends
turn the world upside down
…and have a deep impact on families.

4. 1. Rising populations
worldwide

5. Rising populations worldwide

6. Population distribution worldwide

7. 2. Falling birthrates
worldwide

8. Yearly growth rate of populations worldwide

9. Demographic Change

10. 3. Aging of societies
worldwide

11. Aging of societies in German speaking countries

12. 4. Globalization of the
world economy

13. 5. Mega-Cities

14. 6. Disintegration of the
extended family

15. 7. Growing economic
independence of women

16. 8. Growing Individualism
•  Increase in privacy among family members
•  Change in partnership
•  Counterplay individualism versus
community spirit
•  Growing acceptance of divorces
•  Fewer marriages and more divorces
worldwide

18. 9. Systematic devaluation of
the family
• Inflationary use of the term "family"
• Discrimination against families
• Failure of family policy

19. 10. Sustainability

20. Thank you for your attention!
Walter M. Baar
www.itf.co.at