Kondratiev Waves (or K-Waves) are hypothesized long-term economic cycles lasting approximately 40 to 60 years, typically driven by major technological innovations like the steam engine, electrification, or the internet.

Named after Russian economist Nikolai Kondratiev, these super-cycles suggest that capitalist economies experience prolonged periods of sectoral expansion followed by equally long periods of stagnation and correction. Each wave is fundamentally anchored to a paradigm-shifting technological revolution that completely restructures global production, infrastructure, and labor markets.