A World on the Brink: Global Risks Report Paints a Grim Picture of the Next Decade
The 20th edition of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report delivers a sobering assessment of the challenges facing the world in the coming decade. The report, based on insights from over 900 global experts, reveals a deeply fractured global landscape beset by escalating geopolitical tensions, environmental crises, societal fragmentation, and rapid technological advancements, all converging to threaten stability and progress. While immediate economic concerns are less prominent than in previous years, they remain deeply intertwined with these broader societal and geopolitical pressures, creating a complex and volatile environment.
The most immediate concern for 2025, according to the report, is state-based armed conflict, identified by nearly a quarter of respondents as the most severe risk. This underscores the heightened geopolitical instability and the potential for conflict escalation in various regions. Adding to this precarious situation is the persistent threat of misinformation and disinformation, ranking as a top short-term risk for the second year running. These insidious forces erode trust in institutions, fuel societal polarization, and exacerbate divisions within and between nations, further complicating efforts to address other pressing challenges. The short-term outlook is further clouded by the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, reflecting the growing impact of climate change on human societies and ecosystems. Cyber-espionage and warfare also pose significant short-term threats, highlighting the vulnerabilities of interconnected digital systems and the potential for disruptive attacks.
Looking further ahead, the long-term risk landscape is dominated by environmental concerns. Extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, critical changes to Earth systems, and natural resource shortages are projected to be the most significant challenges over the next ten years. Pollution, a pervasive problem affecting air, water, and land, is also recognized as a major threat in both the short and long term, highlighting the growing awareness of its detrimental impact on human health and the environment. The consistent identification of extreme weather events as a leading risk across all timeframes underscores the urgent need for climate action and adaptation strategies.
Technological risks also loom large in the long-term outlook. The potential for misinformation and disinformation to be amplified by advanced technologies, coupled with the uncertain trajectory of artificial intelligence development, adds another layer of complexity to the global risk landscape. These technological forces, while holding immense potential for progress, also carry the risk of unintended consequences and unforeseen disruptions, requiring careful management and international cooperation to mitigate potential harms.
The report paints a bleak picture of the world in 2035, with nearly two-thirds of respondents anticipating a turbulent or stormy global landscape shaped by intensifying environmental, technological, and societal challenges. The pervasive pessimism about the long-term future reflects a deep-seated concern about the trajectory of global affairs and the potential for these interconnected risks to cascade and amplify one another. Over half of the respondents expect some level of global instability within the next two years, driven by the ongoing fracturing of international cooperation and the erosion of trust. This fragmentation is projected to intensify over the longer term, placing even greater strain on mechanisms for global collaboration and coordination.
Societal risks, including inequality and societal polarization, feature prominently in both the short-term and long-term risk assessments. These internal divisions within societies can weaken resilience and undermine the capacity to address collective challenges. The report also highlights growing concerns about illicit economic activity, mounting debt burdens, and the concentration of strategic resources, all of which could destabilize the global economy and exacerbate existing inequalities. These economic vulnerabilities, coupled with societal fragmentation and declining trust in governance, create a fertile ground for instability and further complicate efforts to address global challenges. The report emphasizes that all 33 risks included in the assessment are projected to increase in severity over the next decade, reflecting a widespread apprehension about the trajectory of global affairs. This underscores the urgent need for collective action to mitigate these risks and build a more resilient and sustainable future.
The Global Risks Report serves as a stark wake-up call, highlighting the interconnected nature of the challenges facing the world and the urgent need for global cooperation. As geopolitical tensions rise and trust erodes, the temptation for nations to turn inward and prioritize national interests is strong. However, the report emphasizes that isolationism is not a viable solution in the face of interconnected global risks. The coming decade represents a critical window of opportunity for global leaders to navigate this complex risk landscape and address the limitations of existing governance structures. To avert a downward spiral of instability and build a more sustainable and inclusive future, nations must prioritize dialogue, strengthen international ties, and foster a renewed spirit of collaboration. The consequences of inaction, the report warns, could be felt for generations to come.