Megatrends 2026

Megatrends describe long-term, large-scale and slowly evolving phenomena that are often interconnected and do not change overnight. Sitra’s Megatrend review highlights these phenomena from Finland’s perspective. It is important to examine megatrends together, as they are not separate from one another but influence each other. The purpose of the megatrend reviews is to provide an overall picture of the developments shaping our future and, through that, enable different kinds of future-oriented reflections, discussions and actions.

The 2026 Megatrend review offers, as before, a comprehensive overview of change from Finland’s point of view. New in this edition is that each development trajectory is examined from three perspectives:

1. opportunities (what possibilities do these developments open for renewal over the next ten years?). In addition, the review and the megatrend cards now include wild cards—unexpected developments that could drastically alter the direction of the future.
2. boundary conditions (within what boundaries is the future being built?),
3. change (what has happened over the past ten years?), and

The previous review, published in 2023, identified the following developments as shaping Finland’s future: the erosion of nature’s carrying capacity, challenges to wellbeing, the struggle of democracy, competition over digital power and cracks in the foundations of the economy. These changes were examined using the futures triangle: the weight of the past, the push of the present and the pull of the future. The review aimed to provide understanding in a time of surprises and to highlight various opportunities.

At the turn of the new decade in January 2020, the overall picture of the megatrend list was updated from Finland’s perspective, with a focus on tensions between different trends. At the centre of the review was the urgency of ecological reconstruction and related megatrends such as the rise of networked power, an ageing and diversifying population, the embedding of technology in everything and the search for direction in the economy. You can explore the 2020 megatrends here: Here they are: the most important trends of the 2020s – Sitra

The 2017 trend review highlighted megatrends significant to the Nordic model in honour of Finland’s centenary year. These addressed work and livelihoods, democracy and participation, as well as growth and progress. You can explore the 2017 megatrends here: Sitra’s Megatrends 2017 deal with transformations of working life, the fatigue of democracy and the economy at a crossroads – Sitra

The 2016 megatrend list focused on ecological sustainability, rapid technological development and an uncertain geopolitical situation marked by interdependence. You can explore the 2016 trends here.

Sitra has published trend lists since 2011 and the current type of comprehensive overview since 2016. Over the years, we have produced slide decks, videos, trend cards, toolkits, background memos—everything needed to support the reviews.

There are many possible futures, and views on the significance and impact of trends vary. The trend list does not aim to present a single truth, but rather a well‑grounded interpretation of the developments that we believe are already shaping the future of Finnish society and that deserve discussion right now.

Sitra’s megatrend list is based on multiple sources. It brings together various visions, futures reports, futures discussions and perspectives into an accessible and usable format. The work draws on Sitra’s expert knowledge, international and national statistics, academic research, news articles, expert statements and the work of the national foresight network.