Five forces that will shape the future
US wealth gap
Since 2007 the bottom 50% has had zero or negative wealth (i.e., debt).
1980
- Top 10% of people: 65% of wealth
- Middle 40% of people: 34% of wealth
- Bottom 50% of people: .01% of wealth
2014
- Top 10% of people: 73% of wealth
- Middle 40% of people: 27% of wealth
Source: World Inequality Database (2018)
Data explosion
We’re going to need better storage, processing, and privacy.
Source: IDC Research, The Digitization of the World. From Edge to Core. (2018)
Rise in average global temperatures
As surface temperatures increase, so will sea levels, extreme storms, and habitat disruption.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance (2020)
Language extinction
From 1950 to 2010, 230 languages went extinct. Today, a third of the world’s languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers left.
Source: UNESCO World Language Atlas (2010); Ethnologue: Languages of the World (2019)
An older population
Today, 9% of the global population is over 65. That’s going to grow in the next decades, redefining work, health care, and our economy.
Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019).
Deep Dive
Humans and technology
Anti-abortion activists are collecting the data they’ll need for prosecutions post-Roe
Body cams and license plates are already being used to track people arriving at abortion clinics.
How China’s biggest online influencers fell from their thrones
Three top livestreaming personalities on the platform Taobao commanded legions of fans who bought billions of dollars’ worth of goods—until they suddenly went dark.
Inside the experimental world of animal infrastructure
Wildlife crossings cut down on roadkill. But are they really a boon for conservation?
Chore apps were meant to make mothers’ lives easier. They often don’t.
Rather than reducing the burden of housework, they tend to become yet another thing to worry about
Stay connected
Illustration by Rose WongGet the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.