What global executives think about growth and risk?

This is the title of a paper in the current McKinsey Quarterly. Sorry it is subscription only.

As the name suggests; McKinsey asked a lot of “global executives” (whatever they are) what factors they thought would contribute and jeopardise economic growth.

As the diagram shows, the aging population is now perceived seen as a significant factor and has reached the dizzying heights of fourth place. A word of explanation about the chart. Of the respondents questioned:

32% think it is a positive thing
49% are neutral
19% believe it is a negative factor.

This is the first time that I can recall that population aging has featured in any of these global surveys about business. A definite sign that awareness of the issue is increasing. Dick Stroud www.20plus30.com