Our Scans · (ZY.4.25) Social Work · Weekly Summary

• [New] By 2026, 25% of people will spend at least one hour per day in the metaverse for work, shopping, education, social interaction, or entertainment. Devsu
• [New] Japan's government has identified dementia as one of its most urgent policy challenges, with the Health Ministry estimating that dementia-related health and social care costs will reach 14 trillion yen ($90bn; £67bn) by 2030 - up from nine trillion yen in 2025. BBC News
• [New] China will accelerate the green transition in all areas of economic and social development, work actively and prudently toward peak carbon emissions, and make greater contributions to addressing climate change. Friends of Socialist China
• [New] As Gartner reports, by 2026, 25% of people will spend at least one hour per day in the metaverse for work, shopping, education, social media, or entertainment. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu
• [New] In recent years, social security systems across the globe have undergone significant reforms aimed at responding to shifting demographics, persistent social and economic vulnerabilities, and the rapidly changing nature of work. International Social Security Association (ISSA)
• [New] Care jobs, including Nursing Professionals, Social Work and Counselling Professionals, and Personal Care Aides are expected to see significant growth over the next five years, driven by demographic trends, especially aging populations. Edaith
• Prioritizing the care economy presents a significant opportunity for India to enhance its economic framework while promoting gender equality and social justice. Dhyeya IAS - Best UPSC IAS CSE Online Coaching | Best UPSC Coaching | Top IAS Coaching in Delhi | Top CSE Coaching
• Social: By 2030, continued rapid progress in AI capability has so far resulted in increased prosperity, with many people having improved wellbeing supported by a better work-life balance. GOV.UK
• As the elderly population increases, social security expenses that support pensions, medical care, elderly care, and other welfare services are expected to increase to 190 trillion yen in 2040, about 1.6 times the 2018 level. MarketScreener
• The UK's social care sector is continuously evolving, with new tender opportunities offering organizations the chance to contribute to the enhancement of services for vulnerable individuals. BFT Consult
• In Japan, social security spending is forecasted to reach 38.3 trillion yen in 2025, with substantial funding directed toward pensions, rising health care costs, and expanded childcare services. Forbes
• To further support policymakers, the NHS, and social care providers in adapting to the emerging threats of climate change, UKHSA will extend its climate-health monitoring to include data on morbidity and healthcare utilization. GOV.UK
• In 2025, expect to see AI tools being used for: Writing contentPersonalizing email campaignsAutomating social media postsPredicting customer behaviorTools like ChatGPT and other AI assistants help businesses work faster and smarter. Blogger
• Accelerating investments in care systems, green jobs, education, and social protection could lift 110 million women and girls out of extreme poverty by 2050 and generate US$ 342 trillion in cumulative economic returns. Mexico Business
• By 2025, 20% of healthcare organizations will have shifted from reactive sick care to proactive health based on genetic, behavioral, and social data. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu
• Accelerated interventions in care, education, the green economy, labor markets, and social protection could reduce the number of women and girls in extreme poverty by 110 million by 2050, unlocking an estimated US$ 342 trillion in cumulative economic returns. Mexico Business
• Ghanaians barred from UK social care visas: The UK government will also be barring the recruitment of social care personnel from foreign countries. GhanaWeb
• Reducing health gaps in the United States will require researchers and clinicians from many disciplines who share a common understanding of key terms and the role of social determinants of health to work in close collaboration with affected communities. PubMed Central (PMC)
• With a more digitally connected government, the UK could better understand and address complex societal challenges, such as social care, health disparities, quality of education and homelessness. UKAuthority
• An evaluation will feed into further development before a wider roll out across Scotland, initially for hospital base services, then to GP practices, pharmacies and social care bodies. UKAuthority
• The Spending Review allows for an increase of £4 billion available for adult social care in 2028-29 compared to 2025-26. GOV.UK

Last updated: 18 December 2025