The World Economic Forum's Global Risk Report 2026

This Global Risks Report 2026 (21st edition; captured insights from over 1.300 experts worldwide) marks the second half of a turbulent decade. It analyses global risks through three timeframes to support decision-makers in balancing current crises and longer-term priorities. This year, AI anxiety is soaring and half of the experts surveyed expect a turbulent or stormy global outlook.

Uncertainty is the defining theme of the global risks outlook in 2026. Respondents viewed both the short- and long-term global outlook negatively, with 50% of respondents anticipating either a turbulent or stormy outlook over the next two years, deteriorating to 57% of respondents over the next 10 years.

The multilateral system is under pressure. Declining trust, diminishing transparency and respect for the rule of law, along with heightened protectionism, are threatening longstanding international relations, trade and investment and increasing the propensity for conflict. Geoeconomic confrontation is top of mind for respondents and was selected as the top risk most likely to trigger a material global crisis in 2026 by 18% of respondents, increasing two positions from last year (Figure 2). This is followed by State-based armed conflict, selected by a further 14% of respondents.

More ... Key findings/Full Report here