The future is a mystery, but we dared to predict it anyway. And boy, did we get some surprises!
The Times challenged its readers to predict the events of 2025, but not even the most astute social scientists could have foreseen what was to come. Predicting the past is hard enough, as Steven Pinker would agree.
In our annual predictions quiz, not a single person scored full marks. Over 12,000 participants gave it a go, with the most common score being 9 out of 15. Hats off to the five who scored 14, including Siena "C", Sam Dibaj, Tom Fewster, and Allie Keay. Let's not mention the five who scored a mere two.
But here's a recap of the year's events, which may have left some scratching their heads:
Sir Keir Starmer's Approval Rating: While he's no Liz Truss, the prime minister's net approval rating hit a low of -54% this month, according to YouGov. But he's still got a way to go to beat Truss's record of -71%.
Reform's Rise: Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch's squabble over party membership numbers seems like ancient history now. Reform has soared in the polls and claims the largest membership in Britain. In the May local elections, it secured 32% of the national vote and now controls 12 councils.
Rishi Sunak's New Gig: After his defeat in the 2024 general election, many wondered if Rishi Sunak would leave politics. Instead, he's taken on a new role as a business columnist for The Sunday Times.
Inflation: Consumer prices rose by 3.8% in the year to September, according to the Office for National Statistics, with higher price increases than in 2024.
Bitcoin's Milestone: The cryptocurrency reached $100,000 in 2024, thanks to Donald Trump's election victory. But it's been a turbulent ride since, ending the year lower than it started.
Russia-Ukraine War: In 2024, only 21% of people thought the war would end in 2025. But recent weeks have brought positive signs of US negotiations with Kyiv and the Kremlin.
Trump-Musk Alliance Unravels: Elon Musk funded Trump's campaign and was appointed as a special government employee. He made significant cuts to public spending but left the administration in May. The real shocker? The vitriolic fallout between the two shortly after.
TikTok's Ticking Clock: In 2024, TikTok faced a potential ban in the US over national security concerns. It went offline for a day in January, but Trump delayed the ban. A deal is now set to keep it running in America indefinitely.
The Lionesses' Triumph: The Lionesses' victory over Spain in a penalty shootout was a dramatic win, following their Wembley final against Germany three years ago. They're aiming for the top at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Premier League Predictability: Liverpool's consistent dominance made predicting the Premier League winner easier than in 2023-24. But let's not dwell on their post-December form.
Rugby World Cup Glory: England's No. 1 ranking since 2020 paid off with a third World Cup win this autumn. They hosted and won the final at Twickenham against Canada.
Environmental Talks Stall: Years of negotiations to address an environmental scourge have yet to bear fruit. Another round of talks is planned for 2026.
Oscars' Surprises: Despite critical acclaim, Wicked: Part I and Dune: Part Two missed out on the top Academy award, which went to Anora instead.
Taylor Swift's Musical Dip: Taylor Swift's new album, The Life of a Showgirl, received a lukewarm response, and she was overtaken on Spotify by Bad Bunny. A minor blip, perhaps, as she's sure to bounce back in 2026.
First Contact or Close Call? The interstellar object 3I/Atlas, which passed close to Earth in October, sparked debate. Is it an icy comet or an alien spaceship sent to destroy us? We may have dodged a bullet there.
So, there you have it—a year of surprises, triumphs, and near misses. What will 2026 bring? Take our quiz and make your predictions. And remember, the future is full of twists and turns that even the experts can't always foresee. And this is the part most people miss—the joy of being proven wrong and learning something new.
