The world population is changing: world population is growing rapidly, more people live in urban areas, and the share of the world's population living in OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) nations is shrinking. The U.S. population is becoming older and more diverse. Across the United States, demographic changes are playing out differently. In 1995, for example, the West had the highest concentration of minorities (36%) and the Midwest had the lowest (15%). Work force changes are paralleling changes in population. The U.S. work force will become more diverse as women, minority groups, older workers, and disabled persons represent larger shares of the work force into the next century. Although more people are investing in education and educational attainment is continuing to rise for most groups, important gaps in education remain across population groups. As the population continues to change, minorities will represent larger shares of K-12 and postsecondary education enrollments, and disabled students will constitute an increasing share of K-12 enrollment. Although the year-to-year demographic changes will be small and subtle, they will have a far-reaching cumulative impact and will drive economic and social change in workplaces, schools, and civic and social institutions. (Thirty tables/figures are included.) (MN)