Looking into the far future: This is how we will live in 2050

The beginning of a new year is a good time to venture a look into the future. Based on the events of the past year and the emerging trends, the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development, BBSR, has derived perspectives for the next 30 years up to the year 2050.

Megatrends such as climate change, the increasing ageing of society, digitalisation and international migration will shape the next decades. The question is how Germany could develop under these framework conditions in the next 30 years and what regional differences are emerging.

The trade journal IzR (Information on Spatial Development) has published the results of the BBSR survey. Based on scientific findings, the articles show opportunities and risks that arise from today's perspective.

According to this, millions of working people from the so-called baby boomer generation will reach retirement age by the mid-2030s. Fewer and fewer young people are facing an increasing number of older people. This will not only have an impact on the supply of skilled labour, the need for care will also increase. Old-age poverty may increase in some regions. Digitalisation and ecological change also play an important role for mobility: electric vehicles and autonomous driving will be something commonplace, walking, cycling and public transport as well as networking the various options will become more important.

The developments shown have great significance for the real estate market and the real estate industry. A survey by immoverkauf24 comes to similar conclusions as the BBSR. Based on around 13,300 customer interviews, the advice portal found that population ageing is already an important factor in determining which properties come onto the market. In the medium and long term, demographic developments in Germany will have a greater impact on the relationship between supply and demand and will have a significant effect on market prices. Already now, age aspects are one of the most frequent reasons for selling real estate.

(Photo: © Wokandapix, Pixabay)