The World Economic Forum (WEF) published the Global Risks Report 2026 in January 2026. Now in its 21st edition, the report analyses key global risks across different time horizons and is aimed at political and economic decision-makers worldwide.
At its core is the concept of an emerging “Age of Competition”: an increasingly fragmented global order in which geopolitical rivalries, geoeconomic tensions and societal polarization are placing cooperative structures under strain. The report does not offer predictions; rather, it presents scenario-based analyses outlining potential trajectories and options for risk prevention and management.
The assessment is based on the Global Risks Perception Survey 2025–2026, which gathered insights from more than 1,300 experts from academia, business, government, international organizations and civil society. It is complemented by findings from the Executive Opinion Survey, involving over 11,000 business leaders across 116 economies, as well as contributions from specialists across various thematic networks.
The results point to a markedly deteriorating outlook. Fifty percent of respondents expect a “turbulent” or “stormy” global environment over the next two years, rising to 57 percent over a ten-year horizon. Geoeconomic confrontation is identified as the most severe short-term risk, followed by state-based armed conflict. At the same time, longer-term challenges such as environmental degradation, technological acceleration and societal tensions remain significant concerns.
The report examines risks across three timeframes – the immediate term (2026), the short to medium term (to 2028) and the long term (to 2036) – analysing both individual risks and their interconnections. In addition to the quantitative survey results, six in-depth thematic analyses explore issues including “Multipolarity without Multilateralism,” “Values at War,” “An Economic Reckoning,” as well as risks related to infrastructure, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence.
The Global Risks Report 2026 thus underscores the increasing interconnectedness of global risks and highlights the importance of cooperative approaches to risk management, even in an environment shaped by intensified strategic competition.
The full report and an interactive data platform are available on the World Economic Forum website.
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