The Future Perfect team has made predictions for significant events in 2026, a process they have conducted for seven consecutive years. Their forecasts, which carry probabilities to indicate confidence levels, cover various issues impacting democracy, economics, and culture in the United States.
Concerns about the health of American democracy have intensified, particularly in light of Donald Trump's second presidency. Experts suggest that the nation may have slipped into a state of authoritarianism, although evidence of compromised electoral fairness remains unclear, as Democrats performed strongly in the 2025 elections.
Included in the predictions are potential scenarios such as the possibility of a recession, conflicts in Taiwan, and the emergence of natural disasters like a Category 5 hurricane. The team also speculates on cultural shifts, including a potential rock album from Beyoncé.
As the year unfolds, the Future Perfect team plans to revisit these forecasts at the end of 2026 to assess their accuracy and provide insights into their predictive methodologies.