business predictions for 2026 | Future timeline

Read business predictions for 2026, a year that will see the business world transform in ways that will impact a wide range of sectors—and we explore many of them below.

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

business forecasts for 2026

  • 80% of multnational corporations globally have incorporated AI. Likelihood: 85 percent.1
  • The Transatlantic Clean Hydrogen Trade Coalition (H2TC) ships clean hydrogen from US to Europe. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
  • The Middle East travel sector grows by 40 percent. Likelihood: 70 percent.1
  • Southeast Asia and India become the most valuable luxury beauty market in Asia Pacific. Likelihood: 75 percent.1
  • Environmental supply chain risks cost firms worldwide USD $120 billion if there are no efforts made to boost sustainability. Likelihood: 75 percent.1
  • Low-emissions hydrogen global production grows 25%. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
  • Institutional investors allocate 5.6% of their portfolios to tokenized assets. Likelihood: 60 percent.1
  • Most companies implement a full return to the office. Likelihood: 65 percent.1
  • The European Union implements the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with an option to defer until 2028. Likelihood: 70 percent1
  • Consumers spend over USD $937 billion globally for ride sharing. Likelihood: 70 percent1
  • Volvo mass produces cars with green steel, the first automaker to do so. Likelihood: 60 percent1
  • Thanks to new legislation approving the use of drones and autonomous robots for delivery, select retailers begin expanding their business territories into tough-to-reach locations (especially rural) to deliver packages to customers more efficiently. (Likelihood 90%)1
  • China's economy will overtake the US for the first time 1
Forecast
In 2026, a number of business breakthroughs and trends will become available to the public, for example:
  • China's economy will overtake the U.S. for the first time 1
Prediction
Business related predictions due to make an impact in 2026 include:

Related technology articles for 2026:

View all 2026 trends

Discover the trends from another future year using the timeline buttons below