Top 7 Industries Likely to Vanish by 2040

When analysts talk about the Coal mining industry is a sector that extracts coal for energy and industrial use, employing millions worldwide, they often highlight its steep decline as a bellwether for other legacy sectors. The push for clean energy, tighter emissions caps, and cheaper renewables means coal could disappear from the global energy mix within the next decade and a half. But coal is just one of many heavy‑weight players facing extinction. In this article we break down the seven biggest industries that could be gone by 2040, why they’re under pressure, and what that means for workers, investors, and policymakers.

Why Forecasting Industry Deaths Matters

Predicting which sectors will vanish isn’t a crystal‑ball exercise; it’s a blend of data, policy trends, and technology adoption rates. When an industry contracts sharply, entire supply chains feel the ripple. Cities built around a single plant may need to reinvent themselves, while investors must re‑balance portfolios to avoid stranded assets. Understanding the timeline helps governments design retraining programs and gives businesses a chance to pivot before the market shrinks to nothing.

1. Coal Mining - the Classic Decline

Coal mining supplies roughly 27% of global electricity today, but that share is dropping 3‑4% each year thanks to solar, wind, and battery storage. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts coal’s share will fall below 10% by 2035. With operating costs rising and carbon pricing becoming mandatory in Europe and parts of Asia, mines that can’t switch to green hydrogen or carbon capture will become uneconomic.

• Key disruption: Renewable energy surge
• Policy pressure: Net‑zero commitments
• Revenue 2024: $800bn

2. Print Media - Ink to Pixels

The Print media industry covers newspapers, magazines, and physical journals distributed through newsstands and subscriptions has been shedding readers for over a decade. Digital advertising now commands 65% of total ad spend in the U.S., and younger audiences rarely touch a physical paper. Even legacy brands like The New York Times are betting on digital subscriptions to stay afloat.

• Key disruption: Online news platforms
• Consumer shift: Mobile-first content
• Revenue 2024: $120bn

3. Traditional Taxi Services - Ride‑Sharing Takes Over

Before Uber and Lyft, the traditional taxi industry included city‑licensed cabs that operated on a meter‑based fare system dominated urban transport. Today, app‑based ride‑sharing offers cheaper fares, real‑time tracking, and cashless payments. Cities that have regulated ride‑sharing heavily still see taxi ridership falling 15‑20% annually.

• Key disruption: Mobile platforms
• Regulatory challenge: Licensing fees vs. gig‑economy rules
• Revenue 2024: $45bn

4. Fossil Fuel Power Generation - The Last Coal‑Heavy Plants

Even beyond coal mining, the broader fossil fuel power generation sector includes natural‑gas and oil‑fired power plants that supply electricity to the grid is on a countdown. Advances in battery storage now allow renewables to provide baseload power, and many governments have announced phase‑out dates for new fossil‑fuel plants. Existing plants are being retired early, often at a loss, to avoid carbon penalties.

• Key disruption: Energy storage breakthroughs
• Policy pressure: Carbon pricing and emissions caps
• Revenue 2024: $250bn

5. Landline Telephone - The Silent Hangup

The landline telephone industry provides fixed‑line voice services via copper or fiber cables to residential and business customers has been shrinking as smartphones replace voice calls with internet‑based messaging. In the U.S., landline subscriptions fell below 30% of households in 2023, and many carriers have announced plans to dismantle copper networks entirely.

• Key disruption: Mobile and VoIP services
• Consumer habit: Preference for data over voice
• Revenue 2024: $15bn

6. DVD Rental - Physical Media Gets Stuck

Remember the excitement of picking a new DVD from a kiosk? The DVD rental industry once thrived on physical disc rentals from stores and automated kiosks like Redbox is now a niche hobby. Streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime have made instant access the norm, leaving brick‑and‑mortar and kiosk rentals with less than 2% market share.

• Key disruption: On‑demand streaming platforms
• Consumer trend: Binge‑watching without physical media
• Revenue 2024: $0.8bn

7. Fast Fashion - The Sustainability Backlash

While not disappearing overnight, the fast fashion industry produces inexpensive, trend‑driven clothing that cycles through collections in weeks faces mounting pressure from climate‑concerned consumers and stricter waste‑management laws. Brands that can’t shift to circular models or transparent supply chains risk losing market share to sustainable competitors.

• Key disruption: Eco‑conscious consumerism
• Regulatory pressure: Textile waste taxes in the EU
• Revenue 2024: $400bn

Comparison Table: Disruption Drivers and Timeline

What Happens to Workers?

Job loss is the most visible impact. Coal miners, print journalists, and taxi drivers need reskilling pathways. Countries like Germany and Canada already fund transition programs that teach renewable‑energy installation, digital content creation, and logistics management. The key is to start early - the sooner the workforce can pivot, the less social disruption.

Investors: Where to Put Money Now?

If you’re looking to protect capital, steer clear of assets tied to these dying sectors. Instead, double‑down on clean‑energy infrastructure, cloud‑based media platforms, electric‑vehicle fleets, and sustainable textile technologies. Historically, reallocation from declining to emerging industries has yielded 8‑12% annual returns over a ten‑year horizon.

Policy Recommendations for a Smooth Transition

Governments can soften the blow by:

1. Implementing phased carbon taxes that give high‑emission industries time to adapt.
2. Funding vocational schools focused on green jobs.
3. Providing tax incentives for companies that retrain their existing workforce.
4. Launching public‑private partnerships to pilot new technologies in affected regions.

These steps help keep communities alive while the economy moves toward a cleaner, digital future.

Final Thoughts

Predicting a complete industry shutdown is bold, but the data points to unmistakable trends. By 2040, coal mining, print media, traditional taxis, fossil‑fuel power plants, landline phones, DVD rentals, and fast fashion could be shadows of their former selves. The good news? The same forces that erase these sectors also create opportunities for those ready to adapt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will coal mining disappear entirely?

Not overnight, but most coal mines in developed economies are slated for closure by the mid‑2030s. Some countries with large reserves may keep limited operations for export, but global demand will be a fraction of today’s levels.

Can print newspaper companies survive?

A few niche publications can thrive by focusing on premium, investigative journalism and digital subscriptions. However, broad‑circulation daily papers will need to pivot to digital‑first models or risk extinction.

What skills should taxi drivers learn for the future?

Learning to operate electric vehicles, using app‑based dispatch systems, and basic vehicle maintenance are critical. Many cities are offering scholarships for drivers to transition into rideshare or logistics roles.

Is the landline telephone completely obsolete?

It’s unlikely to vanish instantly because businesses still rely on reliable fax lines and backup voice channels. Yet, new installations are rare, and most carriers plan to decommission copper networks over the next ten years.

How can investors hedge against fast‑fashion decline?

Invest in sustainable apparel brands, textile recycling technologies, and companies that own the supply chain for organic fibers. ETFs focused on ESG (environmental, social, governance) criteria have outperformed traditional fast‑fashion indexes in recent years.