The trajectory of animal welfare improvement over coming decades depends on scientific advances, policy development, technological change, and evolving social attitudes toward other species.
The future of animal welfare is not predetermined but will be shaped by collective choices about science, policy, technology, and values. Optimistic scenarios include cultured meat replacing most conventional animal farming, precision technology enabling genuine welfare monitoring at scale, and evolving social attitudes creating political will for strong protective legislation. More pessimistic scenarios involve continued intensification in low-regulation regions, climate-driven welfare deterioration, and technological solutions that optimise production rather than welfare. The welfare advocates, scientists, policymakers, and consumers of today are making choices that will determine which trajectory prevails. The stakes for animals are enormous.