Low-burden life emerges as key global trend for 2027

The "low-burden life" trend is expected to become a core global business pillar by 2027 as people seek to maximize personal satisfaction by reducing social obligations. At a KOTRA TV briefing, Jeon Woo-hyeong noted that in Almaty, Kazakhstan, 510,000 people already use palm-based biometric payments to increase convenience.

The "Low-burden life" trend, which seeks to maximize individual convenience and satisfaction by escaping human relationships and social obligations, is spreading among the younger generation worldwide. Reducing fatigue from relationships and managing physical and mental health through technology are expected to emerge as core pillars of future business.

At the "2027 Global Business Trends Briefing" reported by KOTRA TV, Jeon Woo-hyeong, Head of the Trade Investment Division, identified "low burden" and "survival through technology" as the keywords penetrating upcoming lifestyles. Jeon analyzed that the "lying flat" (躺平) phenomenon that previously appeared in China is evolving beyond simple rest into a form of pursuing personal satisfaction in the most comfortable way by rejecting the gaze of others and the obligations of complex human relationships.

'Dazi' and 'Visiting Chefs' reducing the weight of relationships

A characteristic of the Low-burden life is the lowering of the continuity of human relationships and the pursuit of purpose-driven encounters. To explain this, Jeon introduced the concept of "Dazi." Dazi refers to partners who meet temporarily for a specific purpose. For example, this includes finding a temporary dining partner to eat paella in Spain, which requires a minimum order for two people, or finding someone to go running with. The feature is that once the purpose is achieved, the parties part ways cleanly without the burden of having to maintain the relationship.

There is also a clear movement to reduce obligations within the home. To avoid the burdens caused by social expectations—such as food preparation, dishwashing, and household odors when hosting guests—the "visiting chef" trend, where individuals hire personal chefs, is gaining attention. This reflects an intention to convert time that would have been spent on housework into time dedicated entirely to oneself, such as exercising or conversing.

Consumption patterns are also seeing the spread of the "use and discard" (用之) concept. While fashion in the past represented social status, there is a recent trend of purchasing inexpensive fast fashion products to use once and immediately dispose of them. This shows a facet of low-burden consumption that prioritizes efficiency and convenience over being conscious of the gaze of others.

Rise of protein substitutes and AI-based customized healthcare

The combination of the "Slimming Economy," which aims to reduce physical burdens, and health management technology was also cited as a major trend. Citing the case of France, Jeon explained the changing demand for high-quality protein. In France, protein intake is increasing, such as the per capita egg consumption increasing by 10% compared to the previous year, but allergy issues and animal welfare concerns are driving the search for alternatives.

Accordingly, the alternative food market, utilizing plant-based eggs made from potato or pea protein, is growing. In particular, China is accelerating the development of cultured meat using animal muscle stem cells, treating food security as a national task. It is forecasted that a time will come when plant-based proteins surpass animal proteins in terms of price and taste.

In the field of health management, an era is opening where AI provides personalized solutions. Sanatoriums in Russia have transformed from the past method of moving according to a fixed schedule into "prevention-centered" spaces that monitor an individual's sleep status through AI diagnosis and provide customized diets such as vegan or low-carb, high-fat. Services have also emerged that predict disease risks 5 to 10 years into the future using AI.

Combination of biometric payment and AI pet care

Technology is maximizing life convenience by combining with the human body. In Daxing Airport in China and Almaty in Kazakhstan, "Palm Payment," which recognizes the veins and blood flow of the palm, is already spreading. In the case of Almaty, 510,000 people, representing about one-third of the adult male population, are already using biometric payments. This suggests a move toward a stage that eliminates the inconvenience of having to carry a smartphone.

The role of AI is also growing in the fields of mental health and pet management. Germany has institutionalized the use of digital apps for treating depression or panic disorder by certifying apps as medical devices through the "DiGA." Additionally, services are being operated where patients with sleep disorders find psychological stability by conversing with AI through voice and text.

The use of technology is also prominent in the pet market. An app based on the "Feline Grimace Scale" discovered by Université de Montréal scans a cat's ear position, eyes, and whiskers to provide the probability of pain. Technology that reads and manages the status of humans and animals through data is becoming part of everyday lifestyles.

Source: KOTRA TV (YouTube)