2021s

2021s is a term used to refer to the calendar year 2021 and the collection of events, trends, and phenomena associated with that year. As with many early 2020s years, 2021 was marked by ongoing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine development and deployment, public health measures, and uneven global access. The year also saw significant political, social, and environmental developments across regions.

Public health and economy: Vaccine rollouts accelerated in many countries, enabling gradual reopening in some sectors while new variants, such as Delta, affected transmission patterns. Global supply chains faced bottlenecks and a semiconductor shortage contributed to inflation and product delays. Extreme weather, including heat waves, floods, and wildfires, highlighted climate change impacts.

Politics and conflict: In the United States, the Biden administration began its term in January, with the January 6 Capitol attack and the subsequent emphasis on governance. The US led an August completion of its withdrawal from Afghanistan. The year also included the May 2021 Gaza–Israel conflict and ongoing geopolitical tensions in other regions. The COP26 climate summit in Glasgow brought renewed focus to emissions targets and climate finance.

Science and culture: Space missions included NASA's Perseverance rover landing on Mars in February and the James Webb Space Telescope launching in December. The Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics were held in 2021 with limited spectators. In technology and media, digital communication, streaming, and gaming continued to grow, reflecting changes in work and entertainment patterns.

Legacy: 2021 is often seen as a year of disruption and transition, testing resilience in health systems, economies, and governance, while also advancing scientific achievements that shaped subsequent policy and inquiry.