All over the world, countries are moving toward becoming cashless. While this does have its benefits – particularly for ostracised communities – it also creates issues for those people who rely mainly on cash and places a high level of power with large financial institutions.

Almost half of Germans say they can easily imagine life without cash, as one in three shoppers already pays via a smartphone or smartwatch, especially in supermarkets. However, concerns over financial control, security, privacy and ease of use still hinder mass adoption.

Rapidly shifting market forces have made China the largest and most sophisticated digital (and notably mobile) payment market in the world. In turn, these forces are also changing consumer behaviour and pushing the country’s consumers towards a society that no longer uses cash.

Growing old is daunting, but imagine having to grow old alone. In Japan, four in five 40- to 59-year-olds have expressed anxiety about feeling lonely in later life, with over three-quarters worried about becoming ill without having the appropriate care.