An estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide watched Argentina beat France to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December. Although it was a record viewing for a World Cup final, younger sports fans and their viewing habits are changing.

A new survey from Morning Consult found that Gen Z consumers in the U.S. are watching less live sports than the group of “all U.S. adults” — on broadcast TV, streaming services, or any other platform. A third don’t watch any live sports at all, compared 24% of all U.S. adults who said they don’t watch live sports. 

Fandoms also appear to be shrinking, with 38% of Gen Z responding that they do not support a particular team, versus 28% of all American adults.

“The struggle for sports to latch on with Gen Z, relative to their older counterparts, is exacerbated by the multitude of other readily accessible entertainment options, the popularity of established and emerging social media platforms, the fragmented nature of sports media rights distribution, accessibility to games and ticket affordability,” the report states.

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a confluence of crises from rising debt, uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing frequency and severity of climate shocks. In its annual Foresight Africa report, the Brookings Institution highlights the low levels of tax raised, contributing to deteriorating public finances.

Africa’s average tax-to-GDP rate of 16.5% is lower than other regions: Asia and Pacific (19.1%), Latin America and the Caribbean (21.9%), and OECD countries (33.5%). By the report’s estimates, several countries in SSA bring in significantly lower tax revenues compared to GDP, with Ethiopia at the lowest end around 6%. 

The authors recommend “strengthening tax administration and expanding tax sources to real estate, sugary products, and eventually carbon” as opportunities to significantly raise domestic revenue. They also recommend more targeted, technology-enabled approaches to social welfare programs.

While worries of an economic slowdown are on the minds of most CEOs, there are still indications for economic bright spots in 2023.

In its latest World Economic Outlook report, the IMF slightly increased its 2023 growth forecast to 2.9% in 2023 from 3.4% in 2022. This is 0.2 of a percentage point higher than it predicted in October, while still below the historical average of 3.8%. The rate is expected to rebound to 3.1% in 2024.

While growth in the U.S. and Europe is expected to slow (1.4% and 0.7%, respectively), emerging economies are expected to rise to 4% this year and 4.2% in 2024, with China and India leading the way.  

As China reinvigorates its economy after nearly three years of COVID restrictions, IMF economists see growth rebounding to 5.2% this year. Together with India, the two economies “will account for half of global growth this year, versus just a tenth for the U.S. and euro area combined.”

Still, risks to watch out for include: disruptions to China’s economic ambitions due to current or future waves of COVID infections, failing to get inflation under control amid a continued tight labor market, and an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine that could further destabilize energy or food markets.

While pledging healthy resolutions at the start of the year is nothing new, the idea of adopting a “dry January” has been sharply gaining interest since it was launched as a campaign by the nonprofit Alcohol Change U.K. a decade ago. Equally gaining momentum is the market for innovative wellness products, such as plant-based protein and non-alcoholic beverages.    

According to data compiled by NielsenIQ, between August 2021 and August 2022, U.S. sales of nonalcoholic beers, wines, and spirits totaled $395 million, a year-over-year growth of nearly 21%. 

Nonalcoholic beverage sales have been steadily capturing a slice of the overall alcohol U.S. market. While nonalcoholic sales only account for around .47% of the total alcoholic beverage market (as of July 2022), analysts project growth in this category as well as in low-alcohol products (defined as drinks with an alcoholic strength by volume, or ABV, between 0.05% and 1.2%).

Globally, the nonalcoholic and low–alcohol beverage market is valued at $22.5 billion, according to InsightAce Analytic. It is expected to reach $68.9 billion by 2030.

Across the globe, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of treating mental health as a factor in overall health and well-being. 

In its latest report on employer-provided health care, Mercer Marsh Benefits found that although progress is evident, gaps in mental health care still persist: 16% of insurers report that their plans do not cover mental health services. This is compared to 26% in 2022. 

Emotional or mental risk is now one of the top three risk factors influencing employer-sponsored group medical costs in every region reviewed by the report except Asia and the Middle East/Africa. It’s the third-largest risk globally. (The report does not cover U.S. trends, which are reported separately.) 

The report notes that 2021 was the first year that mental conditions were listed as one of the top five risk factors in any region (Europe). Researchers posit: “This shift could reflect the mental and emotional burden of COVID-19 as well as greater awareness in both the workplace and society of the significance of mental well-being.