This study aims to support rational decision-making based on scientific and objective data in an era of increasing uncertainty and complexity across various sectors, including politics, economy, society, and science and technology. Emphasizing the importance of long-term future projections and policy alternatives to address complex societal challenges, the study focuses on establishing an indicator system to respond to future societal changes. Specifically, it revisits the Future Society Response Indicators(FSRIs) established in 2020 to develop a more relevant framework reflecting the evolving environment.
The research involved reviewing the latest literature, examining research trends, and consulting experts to propose a revised indicator system. While retaining the existing framework of a Smart Growth Society, a Sustainable and Secure Society, and a Collaborative Society Respecting Diversity, the study refined indicators by adding, removing, or modifying them to align with contemporary challenges. Key updates include the addition of artificial intelligence (AI) utilization metrics, indicators addressing social changes related to birth rates, restructuring of aging-related metrics, enhancements for climate crisis response indicators, and the introduction of metrics for mitigating social conflict and personalized learning. For example, a new AI Global Index was added to address digital transformation, and metrics such as pension replacement rates were included to tackle aging issues.
The analysis revealed distinct trends within the framework. In the Smart Growth Society, technological quantitative indicators performed well, but digital capability utilization remained weak. For the Sustainable and Secure Society, progress was observed in indicators related to childcare leave and domestic labor sharing to address low birth rates, but economic burdens like housing and private education costs continued to hinder marriage and childbirth. On climate crisis and carbon neutrality, renewable energy utilization increased but remained at the lowest levels among OECD countries, with natural disaster frequencies rising due to climate change.
In the Collaborative Society Respecting Diversity, the gender wage gap showed a declining trend but remained significant. Career education satisfaction among high school students declined, highlighting the need for improvements in learner-centered, customized education systems. Indicators related to democracy, such as the Corruption Perception Index and the World Governance Index, improved, while the World Peace Index rose. However, the North-South Unification Index declined.
The AHP survey results indicated that academic and policy advisory groups prioritized the Sustainable and Secure Society. Experts emphasized indicators related to inequality and social challenges, whereas policy advisors focused on specific issues. These perspectives helped identify key priorities and critical indicators for the future.
In conclusion, this study provides an evidence-based analysis to present improvement strategies to realize a desirable future society for Korea. It highlights the need for strategies to address low-performing international metrics and stresses the importance of data-driven decision-making in navigating multifaceted changes, including climate crises, declining birth rates, aging, and a digital transformation.
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