As immediate risks intensify, longer-term challenges from technological acceleration to environmental decline are also creating knock-on effects. Geopolitical, economic and geoeconomic risks are surging. Geoeconomic confrontation tops the near-term rankings, with 18% of respondents viewing it as the risk most likely to trigger a global crisis in 2026, as well as being ranked 1st for severity over the next two years, up eight positions from last year. AI anxiety soars while environmental risks declined in ranking in the short term. The global outlook remains uncertain: half of experts expect a turbulent or stormy global outlook; only 1% anticipate calm. Geoeconomic confrontation emerges as the top global risk for 2026, climbing eight positions in the two-year outlook, as economic risks rise fastest in the short term – with downturn and inflation both surging eight positions year-on-year. AI anxiety soars while environmental risks declined in ranking in the short term. The global outlook remains uncertain: half of experts expect a turbulent or stormy global outlook; only 1% anticipate calm. Geoeconomic confrontation emerges as the top global risk for 2026, climbing eight positions in the two-year outlook, as economic risks rise fastest in the short term – with downturn and inflation both surging eight positions year-on-year. AI anxiety soars while environmental risks declined in ranking in the short term. The global outlook remains uncertain: half of experts expect a turbulent or stormy global outlook; only 1% anticipate calm.
