Technologies and services in the light of demographic changes

Demographic change has become a recent buzzword for the ongoing and upcoming challenges of a society that is increasingly changing in terms of its social integrity. Besides changes with respect to migration, population aging will become a dominant factor in demographic change. According to DeStatis and Eurostat the mean-age in Europe is expected to grow from age 39 in 2007 to 43 in 2020 with a fertile rate that is already below replacement levels in many EU member states, i. e. the population and especially the share of young people is shrinking. Although we have detailed knowledge about the upcoming challenges, little is known about possible solutions. This report reflects interdisciplinary futures research conducted by 20 students at the Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM). It is based on a thorough scenario analysis which enabled the authors of the report to not only shed light on possible future scenarios, but also to come up with innovative ideas of products and services that might help us cope with demographic changes.