#GlobalTrends

The latest wave of demographic research suggests America is teetering on a “demographic cliff.” Birth rates have fallen for years, aging workers are thinning the ranks, and colleges, businesses, and urban planners are scrambling to respond. The result could slow growth, strain social services, and force a rapid rethinking of how the economy trains, recruits, and retains talent. For readers in Thailand, where aging populations and shifting workforce needs are already reshaping policy and everyday life, the message is clear: demographic change is not distant—it is happening now, and no country remains untouched.

Recent research is challenging widespread assumptions about the most talked-about social trends, arguing that many of the narratives gripping public consciousness—such as democracy in crisis, a loneliness epidemic, and declining empathy—don’t actually stand up to rigorous data scrutiny. As Thai society becomes increasingly connected to global debates, understanding the reliability of these trends is crucial, especially as policymakers, educators, and the public draw upon them to shape attitudes and guide responses.

A major shake-up in the nascent field of space tourism has grabbed global headlines: Space Perspective, the pioneering US-based company known for its ambitious balloon-based space tourism ventures, has been acquired by a Spanish firm amid operational and financial difficulties. This development marks a critical juncture for the commercial spaceflight industry, which has faced turbulence in both investor confidence and consumer interest in recent years. For Thai observers, the story offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of luxury adventure tourism and highlights how global trends may soon influence Thailand’s own tourism sector and STEM aspirations.

A dramatic shift is reshaping the space tourism sector. Space Perspective, the US-based pioneer of balloon-based near-space experiences, has been acquired by a Spanish firm after financial difficulties. The move marks a pivotal moment for commercial spaceflight, a field that has wrestled with investor confidence and consumer interest. For Thai readers, the development highlights how luxury adventure tourism is evolving and how global trends may influence Thailand’s tourism strategies and STEM aspirations.

A town hall in Idaho has intensified debate over a new school voucher program, signaling broader concerns about public funding for private education. Held at Idaho State University and attended by about 200 residents, the event mirrors global worries about public schools’ sustainability and offers lessons for Thailand as policymakers consider similar reforms.

Organized by a local education advocacy group, the gathering discussed Idaho’s HB 93, signed into law in early 2025. The measure allocates state funds—about 50 million dollars—as a parental tax credit to help families cover private school tuition. The program provides up to 5,000 dollars per student, with enhanced support for students with disabilities. Panelists described the funds as refundable tax credits that reduce state revenue before other public services are funded.

A recent town hall in Pocatello, Idaho has brought national attention to the intensifying debate over the state’s new school voucher program, with local educators and administrators warning of “severe” economic, social, and academic repercussions if public funding is diverted to private education. The event, held at Idaho State University and attended by roughly 200 community members, highlights a growing unease about the sustainability of public schools not only in Idaho but across the United States—and raises parallel questions for Thailand as policymakers here consider similar reforms.

A new wave of analysis is reshaping how we understand the ongoing drop in birth rates among wealthy nations. The research highlights a complex mix of economic, cultural, and social factors that influence family planning, with implications for public health, education systems, and social cohesion. For Thai readers, the discussion is especially relevant as Thailand faces similar demographic changes.

Across high-income countries, fertility has fallen to historic lows even as global population growth slows. Recent syntheses show total fertility rates dipping well below the replacement level of about 2.1 children per woman. Countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and several European nations are recording rates around or below 1.2. Projections suggest fertility could continue to trend downward this century, with some forecasts indicating a world rate near 1.8 by 2100, though long-term estimates vary.

A wave of new scientific analysis is redefining how experts understand the ongoing decline in birth rates across wealthy countries, raising deep questions for the future of advanced economies including Thailand. The latest research, profiled in a recent Newsweek lead, points to a complex web of factors fueling the trend, with implications reaching far beyond family size–affecting national prosperity, social cohesion, and public health systems.

Rich nations around the world are witnessing historic lows in fertility, even as overall global population growth begins to plateau. According to authoritative sources such as Wikipedia’s synthesis of worldwide fertility data, the total fertility rate (TFR) in countries like South Korea, Taiwan, and Ukraine has dipped to 1.0 or lower, far below the “replacement rate” of approximately 2.1 necessary to maintain population levels. Similar declines are observed in Chile, China, Japan, Malta, Poland, and Spain, with TFR values at or below 1.2 (Wikipedia).

A global survey reveals Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai as Asia’s priciest cities for “living well” in 2025, with Singapore ranked the most expensive city worldwide for luxury living for a third consecutive year. The findings come from the Julius Baer Global Wealth & Lifestyle Report 2025 and highlight how luxury consumption patterns affect Thai travelers, investors, and residents seeking prestige with value.

The Julius Baer Lifestyle Index measures the cost of maintaining a high-net-worth lifestyle across 25 major cities. It considers prime property, private healthcare, luxury goods, business-class travel, and even the price of an international MBA. The 2025 edition blends objective price data with insights from affluent individuals about their priorities, offering a snapshot of global luxury aspirations and realities.

A growing wave of conservative-led interventions is reshaping American higher education far beyond Harvard University, provoking a national debate about the future of academic governance, academic freedom, and the boundaries between politics and the classroom. Recent research and news reports highlight a coordinated effort by conservative policymakers at both state and federal levels, aiming to exert greater control over public and private universities, particularly over issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, curriculum standards, and the tenure of teaching staff.

A new international survey has found Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai lead the list of Asia’s most expensive cities for “living well” in 2025, with Singapore claiming the global top spot for the third consecutive year. The findings, published in Julius Baer Group’s Global Wealth & Lifestyle Report 2025, underscore shifting trends in luxury consumption—and hold important implications for affluent Thais and Southeast Asian travelers seeking both status and substance in urban living.

A wave of conservative governance efforts in the United States is reshaping higher education beyond elite campuses. The push targets DEI programs, curriculum standards, and faculty tenure, raising questions about academic freedom and the line between politics and the classroom. While headlines spotlight top universities, changes extend to many state and private institutions, including who runs campuses and how programs are chosen.

For Thai readers, the topic matters because the United States remains a global benchmark for higher education. Thai students, parents, and university leaders watch U.S. developments for lessons on governance, funding, and curriculum direction. As Thai institutions navigate debates over academic freedom and political influence, understanding U.S. shifts helps contextualize local policy discussions.

In a remarkable blend of performance art and therapy, a pioneering program led by a Canadian counselor and stand-up comic is showing the world how humor can change lives for people with mental health challenges. The Stand Up For Mental Health™ (SMH) initiative, founded by a counselor and comedian with lived experience of bipolar disorder, teaches stand-up comedy skills to individuals living with mental health issues, equipping them with newfound confidence and resilience through the healing power of laughter (Psychology Today).

Public school enrollment across the United States continues to decline, with new data showing student numbers have not bounced back to pre-pandemic levels—a trend that is accelerating nationwide and sending ripples through education systems globally. The latest findings, reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), indicate that K-12 public school enrollment peaked at 50.8 million in autumn 2019 but is projected to drop by nearly four million to just 46.9 million by 2031, representing a significant 7.6% fall in enrollment over the next several years (Virginia Mercury via WTOP).

A sustained drop in U.S. public school enrollment is accelerating, signaling broader shifts in how families choose education. New figures from the National Center for Education Statistics show K-12 public enrollment peaking at 50.8 million in autumn 2019 and projected to fall to about 46.9 million by 2031, a 7.6% decrease. The trend invites Thailand to reflect on its own education system amid changing birth rates and urban migration.

The decline is most visible in several states, with Virginia reporting a 2.9% drop from 2019 to 2023. Nationally, elementary and middle grades experience the steepest reductions. The year 2020 saw a 3% single-year contraction—the sharpest since the post-World War II era—highlighting a profound shift in how families view schooling options.

A rising concern across higher education is clear: more students enroll in universities, yet many struggle with foundational reading and comprehension essential for college work. For Thai readers, this signals the need to strengthen literacy as a pillar of innovation and regional leadership.

Experts note that the problem extends beyond the United States. The debate centers on whether undergraduates can handle complex texts, analyze arguments, and articulate ideas in clear writing. While the data vary by country, the trend toward weaker literacy skills predates the pandemic and intensified during it. In Thailand, robust literacy is a prerequisite for sustaining a knowledge-based economy and competitive postsecondary education.

A surge of recent research and media reports has illuminated a worrisome trend: even as more young people enroll in university, many are struggling with basic reading and comprehension skills expected at the college level. The debate has intensified following the publication of several national surveys and firsthand accounts from professors across the United States, which paint a picture of declining literacy among today’s college students. This issue resonates far beyond American borders, carrying important implications for Thai higher education and the nation’s long-term competitiveness.

A new study has confirmed the suspicions of many young job seekers: Gen Z graduates are entering a job market far harsher than the one faced by their millennial predecessors. According to Kickresume, 58% of graduates in the past year are still searching for their first job, nearly twice the rate seen among millennials and Gen X at the beginning of their careers. The challenges are so severe that only 12% of recent graduates have secured a full-time position by the time they leave university—one-third the proportion seen in prior generations. This shift marks a fundamental break from the age-old assumption that a college degree guarantees a career path, and its ripple effects are being felt globally, including in Thailand, where young people are also facing rising uncertainty about their economic futures (Fortune).

Abandoned and forgotten places across the globe are experiencing an unlikely revival — as must-see tourist attractions, according to a recent overview by CNBC. Once neglected due to war, natural disasters, industry collapse, or the inexorable passage of time, these evocative spaces are drawing travelers in ever-growing numbers, offering both a thrill and a powerful lesson in history and resilience. The transformation of derelict ruins, shipwrecks, ghost towns, and relics of war into popular travel destinations signals a broader shift in tourism, where fascination with the uncanny and a hunger for unique experiences collide with heritage preservation and community revitalization efforts.

Abandoned places are no longer mere relics of neglect. They are becoming compelling destinations for travelers seeking authenticity, risk, and meaningful lessons from history. A new overview shows derelict ruins, shipwrecks, and former war sites being revived as educational, emotionally resonant experiences. The trend blends heritage preservation with community renewal, turning ghost towns and industrial ruins into purposeful journeys for visitors.

For Thai readers, this global shift mirrors local ambitions to transform neglected spaces into unique attractions. From Europe to the Asia-Pacific, these sites demonstrate how tragedy can be reframed into storytelling that resonates with modern travelers who crave significance, not just scenery.

A year after its launch, Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has drawn more than 35,000 applicants and is reshaping Bangkok and beyond. Officials frame the program as a strategic move to stabilize growth, with remote-work tourism energizing coworking spaces, wellness venues, and local businesses. As the country pursues post-pandemic revitalization, Bangkok’s appeal to remote professionals is making headlines and prompting discussions about Thailand’s global standing.

The DTV marks a shift in Thailand’s economic strategy, moving beyond dependence on short-term tourism. Introduced on July 15, 2024, the visa enables eligible freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote employees to reside and work legally in Thailand for up to six months per entry, with a renewable five-year duration. A one-time fee around 10,000 baht and proof of at least US$70,000 in annual income grant access to reliable internet and immersive experiences in what many view as Southeast Asia’s most dynamic city.

A new nationwide study reveals that pastors, traditionally seen as frontline counselors in their communities, are now providing less counseling than a decade ago, have fewer resources for referrals, and are increasingly isolated with their own struggles. The Lifeway Research survey, involving over 1,500 evangelical and Black Protestant pastors across the United States, underscores an important shift in how spiritual leaders participate in mental health care—a development with broad implications for faith communities worldwide, including Thailand.

A nationwide study in the United States reveals that pastors are counseling less, have fewer referral resources, and often feel isolated with personal struggles. Lifeway Research surveyed more than 1,500 evangelical and Black Protestant pastors, illustrating a shift in how faith leaders contribute to mental health care. The findings offer lessons for faith communities worldwide, including Thailand.

In Thailand, Buddhist monks and temple communities frequently serve as the first line of spiritual and emotional support, especially in rural areas where formal mental health care is limited. The American findings prompt Thai religious and community leaders to strengthen collaborations with professional services as demand for counseling grows and stigma around mental health persists.

Psychologists have finally cracked the code on what it means to be “cool”—and it turns out, the definition is strikingly universal. New research involving diverse participants from around the globe has identified six core personality traits that make someone universally perceived as cool: extraversion, hedonism, power, adventurousness, openness, and autonomy. This breakthrough challenges the idea that coolness is purely cultural or subjective and provides new insights into how these attributes transcend borders and societies (New York Post, The New York Times).