Global Risks Report 2026: Geoeconomic Conflict Tops Risk Landscape
14 January 2026 — The World Economic Forum released its Global Risks Report 2026, stressing that the world is entering an “age of competition” with rising geopolitical and economic vulnerabilities.
- Top near-term risk: Geoeconomic confrontation — economic measures used as strategic tools between major powers — now ranks as the most significant global risk for 2026, climbing sharply in expert assessments.
- Global outlook pessimism: Around half of surveyed leaders expect a turbulent to stormy world in the next two years; very few anticipate stability.
- Risk profile: Alongside economic conflict, interstate conflict, extreme weather, misinformation and societal polarization feature prominently among leading risk categories.
The report underlines how fragmentation and reduced cooperation heighten systemic risk, urging renewed focus on resilience, multilateral dialogue, and adaptive governance.
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