These 18 Industries Could Reshape the Global Economy by 2040

ChartTalk: What industries will drive growth in the coming years? Here’s an infographic that depicts 18 of the industries the McKinsey Global Institute projects could generate massive growth by 2040.

What will be the growth-driving industries of the next couple of decades?

According to McKinsey Global Institute, there are 18 high-growth arenas—including AI, cybersecurity, biotech, and air mobility—which could generate up to $48 trillion in annual revenue by 2040.

The infographic breaks down most transformative industries by 2040, offering a glimpse into the future economy.

Source: Visual Capitalist

Click the graphic for a larger version and to read more details at Visual Capitalist.

The 18 industries shown in the graphic stand out for their rapid innovation, large investments, and expanding markets. Under a high scenario, McKinsey believes their share of global GDP could rise from 4% today, to 16% by 2040.

E-commerce revenues could quintuple from $4 trillion in 2022, to $20 trillion by 2040. Much of this growth will occur in emerging markets, where regions like Southeast Asia and Africa are experiencing a surge in their consumer class populations. Advancements in logistics and digital payments are also making online shopping more accessible and reliable in these areas.

AI software and services is one of the fastest growing industries in this dataset, propelled by massive investments in generative AI technologies. In the U.S. alone, nearly $500 billion in private capital has been raised since 2013, with 6,956 new AI companies being founded.

Modular construction involves prefabricating building components off-site and assembling them on-site. A major benefit of this approach is automation. By moving production to a single facility, components could be manufactured quicker and cheaper. This could also address the lack of skilled labor that the construction industry often faces.

While the majority of obesity drug demand is based in the U.S., the market for these innovative medicines is rising globally due to rising obesity rates. In a 2023 analysis, Morgan Stanley predicted that the global obesity drug market would be worth $77 billion by 2030.