<<Top 10 Trends to Watch in 2025>>

1. America’s Choice

A sweeping victory by Donald Trump would have far-reaching impacts on immigration, defense, the economy, and trade. His “America First” policies could shake the stability of U.S. alliances, prompting both allies and adversaries to question their reliability. This could trigger geopolitical realignments, heighten tensions, and even raise the risk of nuclear proliferation.

2. Voters Demand Change

The 2024 election wave saw poor performances by incumbent parties. Some countries changed ruling parties (such as the U.S. and the UK); others were forced into coalition governments (such as India and South Africa); and some entered periods of political cohabitation (like France). As a result, 2025 is shaping up to be a year full of expectations. Will new leaders deliver on their promises? Will embattled leaders change course? If not, social unrest may follow.

3. Widening Instability

Trump could push Ukraine into a deal with Russia, while allowing Israel to escalate its actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Such moves would likely expand global instability.

4. The Outlook for Tariffs

The U.S.–China rivalry is increasingly playing out as a trade war. Trump is expected to impose new restrictions and tariffs — even on U.S. allies. As protectionism intensifies, Chinese companies are expanding abroad — from Mexico to Hungary — to bypass trade barriers and tap into markets in the Global South. Thus, the much-discussed “decoupling” hasn’t really happened; China is taking a different path.

5. The Clean Tech Boom

China has driven an export surge in solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles. This has triggered a China-led clean technology boom, with solar panels and grid-scale energy storage spreading faster than expected. The world may soon find out whether global emissions have already peaked.

6. After Inflation

While central banks in wealthy countries celebrate taming inflation, Western economies now face new challenges: shrinking budget deficits, which could mean tax hikes, spending cuts, or growth initiatives. Many nations may also need to boost defense budgets. Economic choices will be especially difficult. In the U.S., Trump’s policies — such as high import tariffs — could stifle growth and rekindle inflation.

7. The Aging Dilemma

The U.S. has just elected the oldest president in its history. World leaders are aging, and so are populations. Discussions around age limits for political leaders will become more prominent. Meanwhile, China is looking for economic opportunities in an aging world. In contrast, regions like the Middle East are seeing youth population booms paired with high unemployment — a potential source of instability.

8. A Defining Moment for AI

This could be the biggest bet in business history: more than $1 trillion is being poured into AI data centers, but many companies are still unsure how to use the technology, and adoption remains limited (though many employees may be secretly using it). Will investors lose confidence? Or will AI prove its worth, through breakthroughs such as smarter enterprise systems or AI-discovered drugs?

9. Travel Troubles

It’s not just goods — global movement of people is also facing new obstacles. Conflicts are disrupting global air travel. Europe is tightening border controls, and the Schengen free-movement area is weakening. Though public opposition to “overtourism” may ease in 2025, restrictions in cities like Amsterdam and Venice are likely to remain.

10. The Unimaginable Life

One lesson from 2024: expect the unexpected — from failed assassinations and exploding walkie-talkies to catching giant rockets with chopsticks. What absurdities might 2025 bring? Our “Black Swan” section outlines possibilities worth watching, from devastating solar storms and the discovery of ancient lost texts to the reemergence of a global pandemic.

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To navigate the future, it helps to anticipate the seemingly impossible. We hope The World Ahead 2025 serves as a useful guide to understanding the coming year — and preparing for the surprises it may bring.