The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 20th edition of its Global Risks Report highlights a rapidly fracturing global landscape. Escalating geopolitical tensions, environmental crises, and technological uncertainties pose significant threats to stability and progress. While economic risks are less prominent this year, they remain deeply intertwined with societal and geopolitical challenges.
The report, which surveys over 900 global experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, identifies state-based armed conflict as the most immediate global risk for 2025, with nearly a quarter of respondents ranking it as the most pressing concern for the year ahead.
Misinformation and disinformation, which have continued to be major short-term risks for the second consecutive year, underline their persistent threat to societal cohesion.
These factors, along with extreme weather events, societal polarisation, cyber-espionage, and cyber-warfare, were cited as the most significant risks in the near term. Misinformation and disinformation are seen as exacerbating divisions both within and between nations, eroding trust and undermining governance.
In the long-term outlook, environmental risks dominate, with extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and natural resource shortages leading the rankings for the next decade.
Pollution, perceived as a major concern in both the short and long terms, reflects growing recognition of its harmful impacts on health and ecosystems across air, water, and land. Extreme weather events were identified as a prominent risk across all time horizons.
Additionally, technological risks remain a concern, particularly those related to misinformation, disinformation, and the potentially harmful outcomes of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. As AI evolves, the consequences of its misuse are expected to create more complex challenges over the next decade.
“Rising geopolitical tensions, a fracturing of global trust, and the climate crisis are straining the global system like never before,” said Mirek Dušek, managing director of the World Economic Forum. “In a world marked by deepening divides and cascading risks, global leaders have a choice: to foster collaboration and resilience, or face compounding instability. The stakes have never been higher.”
Growing fracture and fragility: A turbulent decade ahead, shows WEF report
The WEF survey reveals a stark outlook, with nearly two-thirds of respondents expecting a turbulent global landscape by 2035. Environmental, technological, and societal challenges largely drive this pessimism. More than half of experts foresee instability within the next two years, pointing to the widespread fracturing of international cooperation and the growing strain on global governance structures.
The long-term risks include rising societal issues such as inequality and societal polarisation, which continue to feature prominently in both short- and long-term projections. Respondents also express growing concerns over illicit economic activity, mounting debt burdens, and the concentration of strategic resources — all of which could destabilise the global economy in the coming years. These vulnerabilities, experts warn, could exacerbate domestic instability, erode trust in governance, and further complicate efforts to address global crises.
“There is no silver bullet to address these interconnected crises, but we must act now to avoid catastrophic consequences in the future,” said Mark Elsner, head of the Global Risks Initiative at the World Economic Forum. “Renewed efforts to rebuild trust and foster cooperation are urgently needed. The consequences of inaction could be felt for generations to come.”
The need for global cooperation: A pivotal decade
As divisions deepen and geopolitical competition intensifies, the WEF report stresses the urgent need for effective global cooperation.
With 64 per cent of experts anticipating a fragmented global order marked by competition among middle and great powers, multilateralism faces significant strain. However, turning inward is not considered a viable solution.
The decade ahead presents a pivotal moment for leaders to navigate these complex, interconnected risks. To prevent a downward spiral of instability, experts argue that nations must prioritize dialogue, strengthen international ties, and foster conditions for renewed collaboration.
“The world is at a critical juncture. The choices we make today will shape the global landscape for decades to come,” Dušek said. “Global leaders have the responsibility to work together to ensure a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future for all.”
