When Will the World End? Doomsday Clock Predictions for 2026, 2050 & 2100
No scientific body predicts the world will end in 2026. But the Doomsday Clock just moved to 85 seconds to midnight — the closest it has ever been since 1947. Here's what the clock actually predicts for 2026, 2050, and 2100, and what would have to happen for it to hit zero.
Will the World End in 2026?
No credible scientific body, government agency, or research institution predicts the world will end in 2026. The Doomsday Clock measures existential risk — not a countdown to a specific date. It has been at 2 minutes (1953), 17 minutes (1991), and now 85 seconds (2026), proving the threats it tracks are not inevitable.
Will the World Survive in 2050?
Yes, with very high probability — but climate models project 1.5–2.5°C of warming, sea levels rising 15–30cm, and significant strain on global food and water systems. Not apocalyptic, but more dangerous.
What Would Push the Clock Past Midnight?
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists cites four converging threats: nuclear escalation, climate change, AI risks, and biosecurity. A nuclear exchange, runaway warming above 4°C, or unchecked AI deployment would all push the clock toward midnight.