Despite widespread sentiment that 2025 was a disaster, data suggests otherwise. While many experienced it as a period of global crises – from conflicts in Gaza to rising AI fears and the spread of misinformation – beneath the surface, several key trends moved in a decidedly positive direction. The year wasn’t defined by collapse, but by quiet progress in fields ranging from genetic medicine to public health and environmental recovery.
Breakthroughs in Genetic Medicine: The First CRISPR Cure
One of the most significant achievements of 2025 was the successful treatment of KJ Muldoon, a baby born with a fatal genetic disorder. Using CRISPR gene-editing technology, doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) were able to correct a single DNA error in KJ’s genome, effectively curing him of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency – a condition with a near-certain death sentence in infancy.
This isn’t just a win for KJ; it signals a paradigm shift in personalized medicine. For the 30 million Americans living with rare genetic diseases often ignored by pharmaceutical research, CRISPR offers a viable path to treatment. The rapid development of this therapy, expedited through emergency FDA authorization, demonstrates how quickly effective solutions can be deployed when necessary. As molecular biologist David Liu put it, this marks a moment where “we can finally have some say in our genetic features.”
Unexpected Declines in Violence and Overdose Deaths
Counterintuitively, several key indicators of societal harm trended downward in 2025. Homicides in 42 major US cities fell by roughly 17 percent compared to 2024, with many areas returning to pre-pandemic levels of violent crime. Drug overdose deaths, which reached a peak of 110,000 in 2023, plummeted to around 80,000 – the sharpest single-year decline ever recorded by the CDC. Even the US suicide rate showed a slight decrease.
Traffic fatalities also continued their downward trajectory for the third consecutive year, with projections indicating an additional 8 percent decline in the first half of 2025. These improvements aren’t simply statistical noise; they represent tangible gains in public safety and well-being.
Shifting Lifestyles: Less Drinking, Lower Obesity Rates
Beyond crime and health crises, lifestyle trends also moved favorably. Alcohol consumption in the US reached a historic low, with just 54 percent of Americans reporting that they drink at all – the lowest figure since 1939. Teen drinking has also collapsed, falling from 75 percent in the late 90s to around 40 percent today.
Simultaneously, obesity rates saw a slight decline, dropping from 40 percent in 2022 to 37 percent in 2025. This shift is largely attributed to the increasing adoption of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which effectively suppress appetite and promote weight loss. While not a complete solution, these trends suggest that healthier behaviors are becoming more prevalent.
The Ozone Layer’s Recovery: A Global Success Story
The ozone layer, once a dire environmental threat, continues to heal thanks to the sustained enforcement of the Montreal Protocol. In 2025, the Antarctic ozone hole reached its smallest size since 2019, and nearly 99 percent of banned ozone-depleting substances have been phased out.
Experts predict that the ozone layer over most of the world will return to 1980 levels by 2040, with full recovery expected over Antarctica by 2066. This success demonstrates that when international cooperation and binding treaties are upheld, even seemingly insurmountable environmental problems can be addressed effectively.
Perspective: It Could Always Be Worse
In the grand scheme of history, 2025 was remarkably stable. Compared to eras like 536 AD – a year marked by volcanic eruptions, famine, and the outbreak of the Plague of Justinian – the present is a relative paradise. While challenges remain, the progress made in medicine, public health, and environmental protection offers a reason for cautious optimism.
Ultimately, 2025 was not the disaster many perceived it to be. It was a year where quiet victories unfolded beneath the surface of chaos, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, progress is possible.
