megatrends
Large-scale global movements
Megatrends are large-scale, long-term shifts that reshape economies, societies, or industries over decades.
The term suggests forces too massive to ignore: Climate change and aging populations are among the megatrends shaping policy.
Business and policy circles favor the word, sometimes to lend gravity to ordinary predictions.
A megatrend is distinguished from a fad by its scope and staying power.
Worldwide economic and cultural integration
- urbanizationPopulation shift toward cities
- aging populationIncreasing proportion of elderly
- migrationMovement to new territory
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
sustainability · climate change · digital divide · social mobility · consumer behavior · lifestyle changes · population growth · middle class expansion
Converting to electronic format
- automationSelf-operating system design
- artificial intelligenceMachines mimicking human thought
- connectivityState of being linked
- blockchainCryptographic linked transaction record
5G · cloud computing · big data · machine learning · robotics · biotechnology · nanotechnology · quantum computing
Forceful interruption of process
- transformationThorough change in form
- innovationCreating something original
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
consulting · forecasting · paradigm shift · competitive advantage · market dynamics · strategic planning · futurism · business intelligence
Rapidly growing economies
- deglobalizationUnwinding of international integration
- supply chainProduct delivery infrastructure
- inflationSustained price level increase
- decarbonizationEliminating fossil fuel emissions
circular economy · gig economy · financialization · wealth redistribution · cryptocurrency · fintech · resource scarcity · energy transition
globalization
Worldwide economic and cultural integration
- urbanizationPopulation shift toward cities
- aging populationIncreasing proportion of elderly
- migrationMovement to new territory
inequality · sustainability · climate change · digital divide · social mobility · consumer behavior · lifestyle changes · population growth · middle class expansion · individualism
digitalization
Converting to electronic format
- automationSelf-operating system design
- artificial intelligenceMachines mimicking human thought
- connectivityState of being linked
blockchain · 5G · cloud computing · big data · machine learning · robotics · biotechnology · nanotechnology · quantum computing · cybersecurity
disruption
Forceful interruption of process
- transformationThorough change in form
- innovationCreating something original
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
foresight · consulting · forecasting · paradigm shift · competitive advantage · market dynamics · strategic planning · futurism · business intelligence · market forces
emerging markets
Rapidly growing economies
- deglobalizationUnwinding of international integration
- supply chainProduct delivery infrastructure
- inflationSustained price level increase
decarbonization · circular economy · gig economy · financialization · wealth redistribution · cryptocurrency · fintech · resource scarcity · energy transition · reshoring
- trendsfad, craze, rage, trendy, fads
- foresightforesight, precognition, futurology, forethought, premonition
megatrendsfads
Short-lived popular phenomena
crazes · flashes in the pan · microtrends · bubbles · manias
megatrendsstasis
State of inactivity
status quo · stagnation · inertia · stability · continuity