The Global RisksReport 202520th EditionI N S I G H T R E P O R T
AcknowledgementThe Global Risks Report is produced exclusively by the World Economic Forum. We are grateful to our longstanding partners on previous editions, Marsh McLennan and Zurich Insurance Group. Their generous inputs and in-depth guidance have been invaluable over the last 20 years.Terms of use and disclaimerThis document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders.World Economic Forum91-93 route de la CapiteCH-1223 Cologny/GenevaSwitzerlandTel.: +41 (0)22 869 1212Fax: +41 (0)22 786 2744E-mail: contact@weforum.orgwww.weforum.orgCopyright © 2025 by the World Economic ForumAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior permission of the World Economic Forum.ISBN: 978-2-940631-30-8The report and an interactive data platform are available at https://www.weforum.org/publications/ global-risks-report-2025/.The Global Risks Report 2025January 2025Global Risks Report 20252
ContentsPrefaceOverview of methodologyKey findingsChapter 1: Global Risks 2025: A world of growing divisions1.1 The world in 20251.2 The path to 20271.3 “Geopolitical recession”1.4 Supercharged economic tensions1.5 Technology and polarizationEndnotesChapter 2: Global Risks 2035: The point of no return2.1 The world in 20352.2 Structural forces2.3 Pollution at a crossroads2.4 Losing control of biotech?2.5 Super-ageing societies2.6 Looking back: 20 years of the Global Risks ReportEndnotesAppendix A: Definitions and Global Risks ListAppendix B: Global Risks Perception Survey 2024-2025Appendix C: Executive Opinion Survey: National Risk PerceptionsAppendix D: Risk governancePartner InstitutesAcknowledgements4561313152028344043434748536066707477809196102Global Risks Report 20253
PrefaceThe multi-decade structural forces highlighted in last year’s Global Risks Report – technological acceleration, geostrategic shifts, climate change and demographic bifurcation – and the interactions they have with each other have continued their march onwards. The ensuing risks are becoming more complex and urgent, and accentuating a paradigm shift in the world order characterized by greater instability, polarizing narratives, eroding trust and insecurity. Moreover, this is occurring against a background where today’s governance frameworks seem ill-equipped for addressing both known and emergent global risks or countering the fragility that those risks gener...
