2040s
Twenty-forties, roughly speaking
The 2040s refers to the decade spanning 2040 through 2049.
Like other decade terms, it groups years for discussing trends, predictions, or historical periods: Climate projections for the 2040s look increasingly dire.
The term appears most often in forecasting, science fiction, and long-range planning.
Halfway through a hundred
- post-millennialBorn after 1996
- centenariansPeople aged 100+
- timelineOrdered display of events
- eraDistinct historical period
period · generation · demographic · cohort · aging · longevity · workforce · retirement
Forecasts of future events
- projectionsEstimates extending forward
- scenariosImagined sequences of events
- forecastingEstimating future conditions
- trendsPrevailing directions of change
speculation · futurism · prognostication · modeling · estimates · outlook · trajectory · horizon
Unsustainable density of inhabitants
- urbanizationPopulation shift toward cities
- globalizationWorldwide economic and cultural integration
- geopoliticsGeography's role in statecraft
- automationSelf-operating system design
inequality · migration · governance · demographics · megacities
Automaton design field
- nanotechnologyAtomic-scale manipulation science
- biotechnologyEngineering using living systems
- telemedicineRemote medical care delivery
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- renewablesReplenishing energy sources
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- decarbonizationEliminating fossil fuel emissions
- net-zeroBalanced emissions state
mid-century
Halfway through a hundred
- post-millennialBorn after 1996
- centenariansPeople aged 100+
- timelineOrdered display of events
era · period · generation · demographic · cohort · aging · longevity · workforce · retirement
predictions
Forecasts of future events
- projectionsEstimates extending forward
- scenariosImagined sequences of events
- forecastingEstimating future conditions
trends · speculation · futurism · prognostication · modeling · estimates · outlook · trajectory · horizon · foresight
overpopulation
Unsustainable density of inhabitants
- urbanizationPopulation shift toward cities
- globalizationWorldwide economic and cultural integration
- geopoliticsGeography's role in statecraft
automation · inequality · migration · governance · demographics · megacities
robotics
Automaton design field
- nanotechnologyAtomic-scale manipulation science
- biotechnologyEngineering using living systems
- telemedicineRemote medical care delivery
sustainability
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- renewablesReplenishing energy sources
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- decarbonizationEliminating fossil fuel emissions
deep-space
Regions beyond nearby planets
- interplanetaryBetween celestial bodies
2040s1840s
Fifth decade, nineteenth century
1940s · ancient times · antiquity · prehistoric era · Victorian era