Foreword

Major global forces taking shape today will significantly impact the business landscape for the public and private sector through to 2030. While global megatrends have been documented on a macro scale, KPMG International wanted to delve more deeply into the implications for national governments and public sector policy makers and thus engaged the Mowat Centre at the School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Toronto, to conduct targeted research. What we found will help guide important conversations over the next few years.

The findings identify nine global megatrends that are most salient to the future of governments and their core responsibilities of economic prosperity, security, social cohesion and environmental sustainability. While their individual impacts will be far-reaching, the trends are highly interrelated. Therefore, governments will need to consider an evaluate their impacts both in isolation and in combination. We present possible options for governments to consider using the core tools available – policy, regulation and programs – as well as the strategies, structures and skills that future governments will need to have in place to achieve the characteristics of a ‘leading practice’ government in the future.

Our report suggests that appropriate strategies for future successes will include greater cooperation in the international arena, promoting behavioural change in citizens and an increased focus on proactive measures to mitigate the worst of the impacts. Governments will be characterized by a shift towards becoming more integrated, outward focused and making better and greater use of technology. Concerted capacity development in evidence-based policy development and stakeholder management will be essential to making the most of opportunities and managing risk in a changing world.