Predictions for 2025 | Future timeline

Read 595 predictions for 2025, a year that will see the world transform in big and small ways; this includes disruptions throughout our culture, technology, science, health and business sectors. It’s your future, discover what you’re in for.

Quantumrun Foresight prepared this list; A trend intelligence consulting firm that uses strategic foresight to help companies thrive from future trends in foresight. This is just one of many possible futures society may experience.

Fast forecasts for 2025

Global self-healing concrete market surges by 26.4%, hitting over USD $1 billion. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
Sun cycle brings more northern lights. Likelihood: 80 percent.1
Baltic States decouple from Russian power grid. Likelihood: 70 percent.1
The world's first artificial shooting star display happens. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
Total lunar eclipse (Full Beaver Blood Moon) occurs. Likelihood: 80 percent.1
VinFast becomes the world's first automaker to commercialize XFC (Extreme Fast Charge) electric batteries. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
The ASEAN Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA) is completed. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
Asia Pacific's ageing market value is worth USD $4.56 trillion Likelihood: 80 percent.1
Meta releases its third-generation smart AR glasses. Likelihood: 70 percent.1
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is launched. Likelihood: 80 percent.1
The world's first ammonia-fueled very large crude carriers (VLCCs) begin their maiden journey. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
Hydrogen airships make a comeback with new prototypes. Likelihood: 50 percent.1
Global foldable smartphone shipments reach 55 million units. Likelihood: 80 percent.1
Global cybercrimes cost USD $10.5 trillion in damages. Likelihood: 80 percent.1
Plastic leakage to oceans is reduced by 30% from 2023 levels. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
Global AI investments reach USD $200 billion. Likelihood: 70 percent.1
The International Seabed Authority's member nations finalize regulations on deep sea mining. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile launches the world's first off-road hydrogen-powered car racing tournament. Likelihood: 70 percent.1
Growth in traditional tech spending is driven by just four platforms: cloud, mobile, social, and big data/analytics. Likelihood: 80 percent1
New technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and augmented and virtual realities represent over 25 percent of global Information and Communications Technology spending. Likelihood: 80 percent1
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's deep-space habitat space station, Gateway, is launched, allowing for more astronauts to conduct research particularly for Mars exploration. Likelihood: 60 percent1
The Chile-based Extremely Large Telescope (ETL) is completed and able to gather 13 times more light than existing Earth-based counterparts. Likelihood: 60 percent1
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Martian Moons Exploration probe enters Mars' orbit before moving on to its Phobos moon to collect particles. Likelihood: 60 percent1
Orbital Assembly Corporation's space hotel "Pioneer" starts orbiting around Earth. Likelihood: 50 percent1
NASA's "Artemis" spacecraft lands on the moon. Likelihood: 70 percent1
The European Union implements the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) for large companies with more than 250 employees. Likelihood: 70 percent1
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments more than doubled globally, accounting for 15% of all investments. Likelihood: 80 percent1
The European Union implements the final batch of stricter global bank capital rules. Likelihood: 80 percent1
76% of financial institutions globally have increasingly used cryptocurrencies or blockchain technologies since 2022 as a hedge against inflation, a form of payment, and for lending and borrowing. Likelihood: 75 percent1
90% of companies have seen revenue from intelligent (AI-powered) services increase since 2022, with 87% identifying intelligent products and services as crucial to their business strategies, particularly among the manufacturing and MedTech industries. Likelihood: 80 percent1
Aeronautics startup Venus Aerospace conducts the first ground test of its hypersonic aircraft, Stargazer, designed to perform ‘one-hour global travel.’ Likelihood: 60 percent1
BepiColombo, a spacecraft launched in 2018 by the European Space Agency and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, finally enters Mercury's orbit. Likelihood: 65 percent1
Mercedes-Benz and H2 Green Steel partner to help the automaker shift to fossil-free steel as part of a move to zero-carbon auto production by 2039. Likelihood: 60 percent1
The luxury industry secondhand market grows almost three times faster than the firsthand market annually (13% versus 5%, respectively). Likelihood: 70 percent1
The European Space Agency starts drilling the Moon for oxygen and water to support a manned outpost. Likelihood: 60 percent1
The Community of European Railways launches the independent ticketing platform, bringing together all available train fares and timetables across Europe. Likelihood: 70 percent1
The low-cost reusable rocket engine demonstrator fuelled by liquid methane, Prometheus, begins fuelling the Ariane 6 rocket launcher. Likelihood: 60 percent1
Robotic, mind-controlled prosthetics become widely available. 1
Global number of Internet connected devices reaches 767600000001
Abu Dhabi "Masdar City" is fully built1
Dubai's "Dubailand" is fully built1
Global reserves of Nickel is fully mined and depleted1
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) will become the leading cause of liver transplants 1
New device diagnoses pancreatic cancer earlier and faster 1
The Giant Magellan Telescope is scheduled for completion. 1
Africa's Green Wall of drought-resistant trees restricts land degredation is completed. 1
Male contraceptive pills become widely available. 1
Severe food allergies become treatable. 1
Blood test detecting any virus you have had becomes widespread. 1
Electronic devices can be charged using Wi-Fi. 1
Smart kitchens that turn cooking into an interactive experience enter the marketplace. 1
Brain-reading devices allows wearers to learn new skills quicker. 1
Prescription drugs can be brewed at home. 1
30 percent of corporate audits will be performed by artificial intelligence. 1
Planned completion of the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope. 1
Drone usage in agriculture is adopted globally. 1
Freelancers juggling multiple jobs simultaneously become the majority workforce in the US, putting pressure on the federal government to enact updated worker rights and safety laws to protect these types of workers. (Likelihood 70%)1
After India and the US signed an agreement to cooperate in the civil nuclear energy sector in 2008, the US builds six nuclear power plants in Indian provinces like Maharashtra and Gujarat. Likelihood: 70%1
Since a military standoff in the Doklam Plateau in 2017, India and China have bolstered their infrastructure and military in the Himalayas as they prepare for their second confrontation. Likelihood: 50%1
Australia, the United States, India, and Japan establish a joint regional infrastructure scheme to counter China's Belt and Road Initiative. Likelihood: 60%1
India funds defense infrastructure in island countries like Mauritius, Seychelles, among other Asian nations to counter China's expansion in the region. Likelihood: 60%1
India partners with Vietnam and funds a nuclear weapon program, curbing China's dominance in the region. Likelihood: 40%1
India and Russia spend $30 billion on energy deals with each other, up from USD 11 billion. Likelihood: 80%1
From this year onward, China deepens its partnership with Russia by assisting in the expansion of Russian arctic ports that enable the navigability of the Northern Sea Route for shipping routes. This initiative is a part of Russia's Polar Silk Road. Likelihood: 70%1
China launches Enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry (eXTP), a $440-million X-ray telescope led by the China National Space Administration this year. Likelihood: 75%1
China builds a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier by this year. Likelihood: 70%1
Brain-reading devices allows wearers to learn new skills quicker 1
Bioengineered skin grafts replicates real skin becomes widely available 1
US military uses electricity to stimulate soldiers' brains, increase reaction times and improve attention spans 1
Automated construction crews meant to replace human workers begin trails in locations worldwide 1
Drone usage in agriculture is adopted globally 1
Africa's Green Wall of drought-resistant trees restricts land degredation is completed 1
Male contraceptive pills become widely available 1
Severe food allergies become treatable 1
Blood test detecting any virus you have had becomes widespread 1
Electronic devices can be charged using Wi-Fi 1
Smart kitchens that turn cooking into an interactive experience enter the marketplace 1
Since 2019, Ireland has opened 26 new embassies or consulates as part of its 'Global Ireland' initiative. Likelihood: 100%1
Prescription drugs can be brewed at home 1
Microsoft ends support of Windows 10. 1
Norway bans new sales of gas-powered cars, giving preference to electric cars. 1
Globally, more trips will be made using car sharing programs than privately owned cars 1
30% of corporate audits will be performed by artificial intelligence. 1
Bioengineered skin grafts replicates real skin becomes widely available. 1
New device diagnoses pancreatic cancer earlier and faster. 1
Robotic and are mind-controled prosthetics become widely available. 1
Automated construction crews meant to replace human workers begin trails in locations worldwide. 1
US military uses electricity to stimulate soldiers' brains, increase reaction times and improve attention spans. 1

The European Union implements the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) for large companies with more than 250 employees. 1
NASA's "Artemis" spacecraft lands on the moon. 1
Orbital Assembly Corporation's space hotel "Pioneer" starts orbiting around Earth. 1
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Martian Moons Exploration probe enters Mars' orbit before moving on to its Phobos moon to collect particles. 1
The Chile-based Extremely Large Telescope (ETL) is completed and able to gather 13 times more light than existing Earth-based counterparts. 1
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's deep-space habitat space station, Gateway, is launched, allowing for more astronauts to conduct research particularly for Mars exploration. 1
New technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and augmented and virtual realities represent over 25 percent of global Information and Communications Technology spending. 1
Growth in traditional tech spending is driven by just four platforms: cloud, mobile, social, and big data/analytics. 1
The luxury industry secondhand market grows almost three times faster than the firsthand market annually (13% versus 5%, respectively). 1
The European Union implements the final batch of stricter global bank capital rules. 1
76% of financial institutions globally have increasingly used cryptocurrencies or blockchain technologies since 2022 as a hedge against inflation, a form of payment, and for lending and borrowing. 1
90% of companies have seen revenue from intelligent (AI-powered) services increase since 2022, with 87% identifying intelligent products and services as crucial to their business strategies, particularly among the manufacturing and MedTech industries. 1
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments more than doubled globally, accounting for 15% of all investments. 1
Aeronautics startup Venus Aerospace conducts the first ground test of its hypersonic aircraft, Stargazer, designed to perform ‘one-hour global travel.’ 1
BepiColombo, a spacecraft launched in 2018 by the European Space Agency and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, finally enters Mercury's orbit. 1
Mercedes-Benz and H2 Green Steel partner to help the automaker shift to fossil-free steel as part of a move to zero-carbon auto production by 2039. 1
30% of corporate audits will be performed by artificial intelligence. 1
Globally, more trips will be made using car sharing programs than privately owned cars 1
Norway bans new sales of gas-powered cars, giving preference to electric cars. 1
Microsoft ends support of Windows 10. 1
Prescription drugs can be brewed at home 1
Brain-reading devices allows wearers to learn new skills quicker 1
Smart kitchens that turn cooking into an interactive experience enter the marketplace 1
Electronic devices can be charged using Wi-Fi 1
Blood test detecting any virus you have had becomes widespread 1
Severe food allergies become treatable 1
Male contraceptive pills become widely available 1
Africa's Green Wall of drought-resistant trees restricts land degredation is completed 1
Hepatitis C is eradicated 1
Drone usage in agriculture is adopted globally 1
Automated construction crews meant to replace human workers begin trails in locations worldwide 1
U.S. military uses electricity to stimulate soldiers' brains, increase reaction times and improve attention spans 1
Bioengineered skin grafts replicates real skin becomes widely available 1
Robotic, mind-controlled prosthetics become widely available. 1,2

New device diagnoses pancreatic cancer earlier and faster 1
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) will become the leading cause of liver transplants 1
Cost of solar panels, per watt, equals 0.8 US dollars 1
Global reserves of Nickel is fully mined and depleted 1
Dubai's "Dubailand" is fully built 1
Abu Dhabi "Masdar City" is fully built 1
World population forecasted to reach 8,141,661,000 1
Share of global car sales taken by autonomous vehicles equals 10 per cent 1
World sales of electric vehicles reaches 9,866,667 1
Average number of connected devices, per person, is 9.5 1
Global number of Internet connected devices reaches 76,760,000,000 1
Predicted global mobile web traffic equals 104 exabytes 1
Global Internet traffic grows to 398 exabytes 1
Worst case forecasted rise in global temperatures, above pre-industrial levels, is 2 degrees Celsius 1
Forecasted rise in global temperatures, above pre-industrial levels, is 1.5 degrees Celsius 1
Optimistic forecasted rise in global temperatures, above pre-industrial levels, is 1.19 degrees Celsius 1