Megatrends 2025

This new analysis highlights four disruptive trends that are likely to drive transformational change over the next decade. Not only are these trends defined by the pace of change, but  they are significant for the scale of their potential impacts. This document is structured in two parts:

• First, we provide a high-level summary of how Scottish Enterprise’s missions could address each of the four transformative trends.
• Second, we provide an overview of each transformative trend and what they might mean for Scotland. This includes an overview of the implications for Scottish Enterprise and the actions that businesses can take today.

We are not making predictions about the future. Instead, we are highlighting likely shifts – which are already taking shape – to help businesses, industries and ourselves prepare for changes ahead. 

The methodology consisted of desk research.

Our analysis identifies four key trends likely to bring major changes in the next decade and beyond. These trends are notable for their rapid pace and scale of potential impacts:

• Skills squeeze: skills shortages in the UK and globally are growing, driven by technology change, ageing and declining working age populations, stricter immigration policies, the green transition and evolving societal expectations. 
• Race for security: geopolitical tensions, fragmented globalisation and resource scarcity are driving economic nationalism, and reshaping global trade.
• Environmental tipping points: Global warming has caused significant climate and biodiversity impacts, and critical tipping points could be reached by the mid-2030s. New, nature-based and tech solutions alongside behaviour change can drive transformational impacts.
• Breakthrough tech: a range of emerging technologies – including AI, robotics, personalised medicine, quantum and energy storage – have the potential to deliver far-reaching societal and economic change.

The report considers how Scottish Enterprise’s missions can address these four transformative trends over the next ten years.