Webinar
What will be the biggest stories of 2020?
- The global economy faces a potential recession in 2020 driven by the US-China trade war, with Germany identified as a significant potential loser as manufacturing troubles could spread; a disorderly Brexit and intensifying trade tensions may force the German government and other nations to breach budget deficit rules to stimulate economic growth.
- In the healthcare sector, 2020 marks the International Year of the Nurse and the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth, featuring a shift where nurses increasingly perform tasks historically reserved for doctors, including anaesthetics, surgery, and emergency caesareans, while the industry confronts a projected global shortage of 7.6 million nurses by 2030.
- Efforts to mitigate the nursing shortage include local recruitment and education drives, such as Singapore's use of media to attract students, and the recognition that wealthy nations must avoid depleting health systems in poorer countries; despite AI replacing some healthcare roles, nursing is expected to remain largely immune to automation due to its high skill requirements.
- Cultural events in 2020 include global orchestras celebrating the 250th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven's birth, with his pastoral symphony intended as an anthem for climate change action, alongside the Tokyo Olympics, which introduces new transgender athlete participation rules that have generated controversy and uncertainty regarding future guidelines after the IOC failed to agree on stricter measures in September 2019.
- The 2020 US presidential election is projected to be heavily contested in Wisconsin, where Donald Trump is predicted to win re-election if he secures the state, while Michigan and Pennsylvania are expected to shift to the Democrats; the outcome relies significantly on voter turnout in specific demographics, such as downtown Milwaukee versus rural areas, with broader global implications.
- Future expectations indicate that an aging global population will increase the demand for nursing care, while low business confidence and synchronized economic slowing in 2019 suggest continued economic volatility throughout 2020, with preliminary trade deal details between China and America likely subject to further negotiation.