The World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Risks Report 2025 paints a concerning picture of the global landscape, highlighting a confluence of interconnected risks that threaten stability and progress. Based on the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS) 2024-2025, which gathered insights from over 900 experts worldwide, the report emphasizes the need for urgent action to address both immediate and long-term challenges.
Here's a breakdown of the key findings:
Top Risks for 2025 (Short-Term):
- State-based armed conflict: This emerges as the most pressing immediate risk, reflecting heightened geopolitical tensions and fragmentation. The ongoing conflicts and their wider implications contribute significantly to this concern.
- Misinformation and disinformation: For the second consecutive year, this remains a top short-term risk, posing a
persistentthreat to societalcohesionand governance by eroding trust andexacerbatingdivisions. - Extreme weather events: With 2024 recognized as the hottest year on record, climate-related risks continue to be a major concern. Extreme weather events are ranked as a significant short-term risk and the top risk over the next decade.
- Societal polarization: This risk is closely linked to misinformation and disinformation, as these factors contribute to the
fragmentationof societies and theerosionof social cohesion. - Cyber-
espionageand warfare: With increasing reliance on digital technologies, the risk of cyberattacks and espionage remains a significant concern for governments and businesses alike.
Key Risks over the Next 10 Years (Long-Term):
Over the next decade, environmental risks take center stage:
- Extreme weather events: These are identified as the top risk over the 10-year horizon, underscoring the long-term impact of climate change.
- Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse: This highlights the growing concern about the degradation of natural ecosystems and the potential for
irreversibleenvironmental damage. - Failure of climate-change
mitigationand adaptation: This risk emphasizes the need for more effective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Other Key Findings:
- Interconnected Risks: The report emphasizes the interconnected nature of global risks, highlighting how different risks can interact and
amplifyeach other. For example, climate change canexacerbategeopolitical tensions and lead to social unrest. - Pessimistic Outlook: The survey reveals a growing pessimism among respondents regarding the near-term outlook, with a significant
proportionanticipating instability and turbulence in the coming years. - Widening Gaps: The report also highlights widening gaps between different groups, such as between super-aging and youthful populations, which can further exacerbate social and economic challenges.
Overall Message:
The Global Risks Report 2025 sends a clear message: the world faces a complex and interconnected set of challenges that require urgent attention and collaborative action. Addressing these risks will require a concerted effort from governments, businesses, and civil society to build resilience and promote a more sustainable and inclusive future.
You can find the full report and further details on the World Economic Forum's official website.
