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Davos 2025: Key Insights And What To Expect From This Year’s World Economic Forum

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
January 20, 2025

The stage is set for the 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), taking place from January 20-24 in the scenic alpine town of Davos, Switzerland. With global attention on the event, here’s what’s on the agenda for this year’s high-stakes discussions.

This year’s gathering, themed “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” promises to be a pivotal moment for global leadership. As over 3,000 influential figures from more than 130 countries converge on the Swiss mountains, the focus will be on addressing some of the most pressing global challenges, including geo-economic instability, AI innovation, sustainable growth, and climate change.

Despite the complex global climate of rising tensions and uncertainties, the Forum also brings an optimistic outlook, with breakthrough technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotech offering new avenues for progress.

What to Expect At Davos 2025

As ever, the diversity of participants will be a hallmark of this year’s event. With over 350 political leaders, including 60 heads of state, the meeting will feature voices from every corner of the globe.

According to the WEF, the forum’s approach underscores the importance of this diversity, ensuring that the world’s most critical issues are examined from a multitude of perspectives, fostering solutions that take into account a broad spectrum of industries, generations, and genders.

Key Political Figures At Davos 2025

Among the most high-profile figures attending are:

  • Donald J. Trump, President-elect of the United States, will engage in an interactive discussion via live video link.
  • Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission,
  • Ding Xuexiang, Vice-Premier of the People’s Republic of China,
  • Javier Milei, President of Argentina,
  • Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany,
  • Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament,
  • Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa,
  • Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain.

Additionally, the summit will host several key global figures such as Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Swiss Confederation 2025; Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia; and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, among others.

The event will also feature prominent leaders from Israel, Ireland, Ukraine, and the Palestinian National Authority, including Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, who is set to address attendees amid the ongoing geopolitical challenges in his country.

Leaders of International Organizations

Not to be overlooked, key figures from international organizations will also attend, including:

  • António Guterres, UN Secretary-General,
  • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization,
  • Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF,
  • Mark Rutte, Secretary-General of NATO.
  • Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, and Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Development Programme, will also be present.

Business Leaders and Innovators

The private sector will be well-represented, with over 1,600 business leaders attending, including more than 900 top CEOs and chairs from the Forum’s members and partners. Expect a strong presence of Global Innovators, Tech Pioneers, and Unicorns who are revolutionizing industries. This year, over 120 of them will showcase their groundbreaking contributions to the world.

Moreover, over 170 civil society leaders from labor unions, NGOs, and religious and indigenous communities will be present, alongside experts and heads of top universities and think tanks. They will bring local innovations to the table, offering solutions to global issues.

With such a broad spectrum of participants, Davos 2025 promises to be an intense and action-packed meeting, where crucial decisions on the future of the global economy, technology, and sustainability will be made. The outcome of this year’s discussions could have far-reaching implications for global politics, economics, and societal progress.

The Power of Diversity in Action

The World Economic Forum in Davos has long been a space for collaboration and dialogue, and the diversity of its attendees ensures that no stone is left unturned in addressing the challenges we face. As the world continues to navigate uncertain waters, the decisions made here will shape the coming years. The question is: will leaders at Davos 2025 rise to the occasion, or will they become entangled in the complexities of a rapidly changing world? Only time will tell.

Strained Household Finances: Eurostat Data Reveals Persistent Payment Delays Across Europe and in Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
November 22, 2025

Improved Financial Resilience Amid Ongoing Strains

Over the past decade, Cypriot households have significantly increased their ability to manage debts—not only bank loans but also rent and utility bills. However, recent Eurostat data indicates that Cyprus continues to lag behind the European average when it comes to covering financial obligations on time.

Household Coping Strategies and the Limits of Payment Flexibility

While many families are managing their fixed expenses with relative ease, one in three Cypriots struggles to cover unexpected costs. This delicate balancing act highlights how routine payments such as mortgage installments, rent, and utility bills are met, but precariously so, with little room for unplanned financial shocks.

Breaking Down Payment Delays Across the European Union

Eurostat reports that nearly 9.2% of the EU population experienced delays with their housing loans, rent, utility bills, or installment payments in 2024. The situation is more acute among vulnerable groups: 17.2% of individuals in single-parent households with dependent children and 16.6% in households with two adults managing three or more dependents faced payment delays. In every EU nation, single-parent households exhibited higher delay rates compared to the overall population.

Cyprus in the Crosshairs: High Rates of Financial Delays

Although Cyprus recorded a notable 19.1 percentage point improvement from 2015 to 2024 in delays related to mortgages, rent, and utility bills, the island nation still ranks among the top five countries with the highest delay rates. As of 2024, 12.5% of the Cypriot population had outstanding housing loans or rent and overdue utility bills. In contrast, Greece tops the list with 42.8%, followed by Bulgaria (18.7%), Romania (15.3%), Spain (14.2%), and other EU members. Notably, 19 out of 27 EU countries reported delay rates below 10%, with Czech Republic (3.4%) and Netherlands (3.9%) leading the pack.

Selective Improvements and Emerging Concerns

Between 2015 and 2024, the overall EU population saw a 2.6 percentage point decline in payment delays. Despite this, certain countries experienced increases: Luxembourg (+3.3 percentage points), Spain (+2.5 percentage points), and Germany (+2.0 percentage points) saw a rise in payment delays, reflecting underlying economic pressures that continue to challenge financial stability.

Economic Insecurity and the Unprepared for Emergencies

Another critical indicator explored by Eurostat is the prevalence of economic insecurity—the proportion of the population unable to handle unexpected financial expenses. In 2024, 30% of the EU population reported being unable to cover unforeseen costs, a modest improvement of 1.2 percentage points from 2023 and a significant 7.4 percentage point drop compared to a decade ago. In Cyprus, while 34.8% still report difficulty handling emergencies, this marks a drastic improvement from 2015, when the figure stood at 60.5%.

A Broader EU Perspective

Importantly, no EU country in 2024 had more than half of its population facing economic insecurity—a notable improvement from 2015, when over 50% of the population in nine countries reported such challenges. These figures underscore both progress and persistent vulnerabilities within European households, urging policymakers to consider targeted measures for enhancing financial resilience.

For further insights and detailed analysis, refer to the original reports on Philenews and Housing Loans.

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