Building a World of Plenty: A Bold Vision for Global Prosperity by 2100

Why It Matters

The book’s 2100 prosperity scenario challenges leaders to pursue exponential growth through collaborative talent and rigorous research, influencing strategic planning across industries and governments.

Key Takeaways

• Book proposes 8.5x global economic growth by 2100.
• McKinsey values athlete traits: grit, resilience, teamwork, and discipline.
• Partnership model fosters democratic collaboration across global offices.
• Global Institute conducts independent micro‑to‑macro research influencing client strategies.
• Goal: every nation reaches Swiss‑level prosperity by century's end.

Summary

The February "McKinsey Unpacked" session introduced the firm’s new book, *A Century of Plenty*, which sketches an ambitious roadmap for global prosperity by 2100. Authors Sven Smith and Cherylyn Chen argue that an 8.5‑fold expansion of the world economy is technically feasible if every country can achieve Swiss‑level living standards, leveraging the same analytical rigor and collaborative culture that defines McKinsey.

Key insights include the firm’s emphasis on recruiting elite athletes for their grit, resilience and teamwork, the enduring partnership model that treats every colleague as an equal stakeholder, and the Global Institute’s independent micro‑to‑macro research that feeds directly into client strategy. The discussion highlighted how these pillars—talent, democratic governance, and data‑driven insight—create a “progress machine” capable of scaling growth worldwide.

Notable moments featured Sven’s recollection of McKinsey’s “Renaissance” hiring ethos and his anarchist‑turned‑partner story, while Cherylyn described her double‑degree background and the appeal of global mobility. The hosts also linked the Olympic spirit of dreaming big to the book’s optimistic narrative, underscoring the cultural fit between high‑performance athletes and consulting excellence.

If the vision gains traction, it could reshape corporate and policy agendas, prompting firms to adopt partnership‑style governance, prioritize cross‑disciplinary talent, and invest in long‑term, data‑rich research. For clients, the roadmap offers a bold benchmark for sustainable growth, while internally it reinforces McKinsey’s brand as a catalyst for worldwide prosperity.

Original Description

On a recent McKinsey project, one colleague received an unexpected request: to investigate her own family history. That personal story connects to a much bigger question the firm has been exploring through A Century of Plenty, a new book from the McKinsey Global Institute.

The book looks at the breakthroughs of the past 100 years and what drove them (what we call the “progress machine.”) It then asks a bold question: Is it possible that by 2100, everyone in the world could live at, or above, the standard of living enjoyed by today’s top few percent?

In a conversation with Blair and Marie, authors Sven Smit, a McKinsey senior partner, and Sherlyn Chen, an engagement manager, dive into this unconventional project. They share why McKinsey was the right place to take on an idea this ambitious—and what their research reveals about what’s possible next.

Will we have enough energy, food, metals, and minerals? Can innovation keep pace with global demand? And can we deliver prosperity while protecting the planet? We ran the numbers. The answer is yes. But progress is a choice.

More episodes can be found on our McKinsey Unpacked platform: https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/mckinsey-recruiting-events-and-initiatives/mckinsey-unpacked

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