Will the world work it out?

Earlier this year, Nvidia's Jensen Huang predicted that the world could be short of 50 mn workers by 2030. The claim, based on a BCG report, points to massive labour gaps in countries like the US and Britain, economies already grappling with ageing populations and shrinking workforces.

For those curious about how this number was arrived at, BBC's More or Less: Behind the Stats podcast explores it in a crisp 9-min episode, Will the world really be 50 million workers short by 2030? Host Tim Harford talks to BCG senior partner Rajiv Gupta, who highlights how demographic shifts - fewer births and longer lifespans - are pushing developed nations like Germany, Japan, South Korea, and much of Western Europe into a talent crunch. Unless these countries adapt, their economies and immigration frameworks will be forced into major change.

What makes the episode stand out is its global lens. For countries with younger populations, particularly India, the gap could translate into unprecedented opportunity - if institutions act strategically. This concise, data-driven conversation captures both risks and openings hidden in demographic change.