Global Risks Report 2025 Highlights Growing Divisions and Uncertain Future

The World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Risks Report 2025 is a dark forecast of the future, with heightened geopolitical tensions, worsening environmental conditions, and greater societal polarization. The 20th annual report draws inspiration from over 900 experts worldwide, assessing risks across three time horizons—short-term (2025), short-term (2027), and long-term (2035). The findings of the report lean towards a fractured global order, reduced multilateralism, and rising feelings of insecurity.

State-based armed conflict will probably be the most pressing threat worldwide in 2025, according to the report. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Sudan, and the risk of new ones breaking out, have brought geopolitical tensions to the forefront of worldwide agendas. The survey reveals that nearly a quarter (23%) of the respondents believe that armed conflicts, including proxy wars, civil wars, and terrorism, will become a serious crisis this year.

Other top forthcoming threats include geoeconomic tensions, climate-related extreme weather events, and misinformation and disinformation. The exacerbating effect of climatic disasters, such as heatwaves, flooding, and wild fires, has elevated environmental threats to the top of priorities. Conversely, economic fragmentation, sanctions, and trade restrictions endangered global economic stability.

The report also warns that misinformation and disinformation, especially prompted by artificial intelligence, are eroding social rifts. Misinformation is increasingly being used to influence public opinion, sway elections, and fuel geopolitical tensions. AI-based disinformation has become a sharp challenge for governments as well as corporations.

Taking the near future (2027) into consideration, specialists forecast further instability. Over 62% of the polled believe that a "stormy or turbulent" decade is waiting for us, with polarization, disinformation, and cyberattacks being among the most pressing issues. With further development of technology, threats linked to cyber spying, AI abuse, and digital monitoring are anticipated to increase.

Long-term (2035) threats are dominated by environmental threats. The report depicts how threats of climate, for example, biodiversity decline, pollution, and scarcity of resources, could significantly impact world stability. The younger respondents, in particular, included pollution in the list of most critical long-term threats, indicating increased generational awareness of environmental issues.

Conclusion

The Global Risks Report 2025 makes an urgent call in respect of the interconnectedness of global risks. Rising conflicts, economic fragmentation and environmental degradation are cumulative risks and long-term remedies are increasingly tough. The report urges governments, business, and international organizations to step up their cooperation and fight these risks collaboratively. The world might otherwise be headed toward a more polarized and unsafe future if actions are not forthcoming.

Source & Credits

This article is based on the WEF Global Risks Report 2025, published by the World Economic Forum. The full report is available at www.weforum.org.