Running hot
Economies around the world grew quickly in 2021: 5.7 % in the US, 8.1 % in China, 5.2 % in the Eurozone, 9 % in India. As economies have heated up, consumer inflation has soared, reaching 7.1 % in the US in December. Producer price inflation has also risen sharply, particularly in the Eurozone.
To read the article, see “Global Economics Intelligence executive summary,” February 7 2022.
Smooth operator
The cultural differences among people in various regions often play into the types of aesthetic treatments that patients select, according to results of our recent consumer survey. In Brazil, for example, patients favor neuromodulator injections for the forehead, while North American patients slightly prefer the treatment for fine lines around the eyes.
To read the article, see “From extreme to mainstream: The future of aesthetics injectables,” December 20, 2021.
Green shipping won’t be cheap
In 2019, some 65 million metric tons of iron ore were exported from Australian mines to Japanese steelmakers. A total of 111 bulk carriers on the route produced 1.7 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. To get this vital trade route to net zero, ammonia engines should be in use by 2024. However, our analysis suggests that even by 2030, a carrier that runs on green ammonia will still cost 64 percent more in total cost of ownership than a ship that runs on fuel oil.
To read the article, see “Green corridors: A lane for zero-carbon shipping,” December 21, 2021.
Gen Z reluctant to seek behavioral-health help
The Generation Z population is more likely to have behavioral-health needs than other age groups but is less likely to seek treatment, according to recent McKinsey surveys. Nearly a quarter of Gen Z respondents said they don’t get treatment for mental-health issues, for reasons ranging from stigma to concerns about affordability of care.
To read the article, see “Addressing the unprecedented behavioral-health challenges facing Generation Z,” January 14, 2022.
Private players stake their place in space
While the US government still funds the biggest chunk of space-sector R&D, private companies are increasing their investments. Investment in new space companies now accounts for an estimated USD 5 billion to USD 6 billion per year in space R&D funding—up from less than USD 1 billion in 2010.
To read the article, see “R&D for space: Who is actually funding it?,” December 10, 2021.