Can tech help adapt to demographic change?

Global demographic trends underpin significant transformations that profoundly impact sustainable development. The key trends that are impacting people and societies across the globe include continued population growth in some regions, progressive population aging and, in some cases, population decline in other regions, as well as international migration and other changes in the spatial distribution of populations. There is, however, considerable variation across countries and regions in both the timing and the intensity of these changes. Moreover, the underlying causes and implications of these trends continue to evolve. In this context, it is fitting to ask whether recent technological advances can assist countries address the challenges and benefit from the opportunities inherent in such demographic transformations.

Technological advances have transformed our understanding of population dynamics and our ability to respond. Innovations in data systems — from digital data collection, including for censuses, to analytical techniques relying on geospatial information or big data — have dramatically improved the timeliness and granularity of information about population trends. Such tools are assisting governments in tracking population changes, identifying vulnerable groups and designing targeted policies. They are indispensable for evidence-based decision-making in an era of rapid demographic change.