2004present

2004present, often written as 2004–present, refers to the period from 2004 through the ongoing present. It encompasses rapid changes in technology, shifts in geopolitics, and broad social and economic transformation that have shaped the early 21st century.

Geopolitically and economically, the era includes the continuation of post–9/11 conflicts, the 2008 global financial crisis and the ensuing decade of slow recovery, and the rapid rise of China as a major global power. The Eurozone debt crisis, evolving trade patterns, and shifts in international alliances have influenced global economics and security. Political developments have included the growth of nationalist and populist movements in various regions and landmark events such as the United Kingdom’s 2016 referendum to leave the European Union.

Technology and science in this period have been defined by the widespread adoption of smartphones, mobile computing, and cloud services, which transformed communication, work, and commerce. Social media platforms and advances in data analytics reshaped information ecosystems, while artificial intelligence and machine learning began to influence a broad range of industries. Space exploration saw notable milestones, including SpaceX’s repeated successful rocket landings from 2015 onward and renewed international activity in space.

Societal and environmental dimensions include intensified attention to climate change and a push toward renewable energy and sustainability policies, along with climate-related disasters. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted global health vulnerabilities and accelerated changes in work, education, and supply chains. Demographic shifts, urbanization, migration, and concerns about digital equity have also been defining features of this period.