The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 outlines a landscape marked by a dense concentration of emerging threats. The analysis spans three time horizons - immediate (2026), short‑ to medium‑term (2028), and long‑term (2036) - highlighting how different categories of risk evolve over time.
Geopolitical tensions stand out as the most destabilizing factor in the near term and rise sharply in the medium‑term rankings as well. Economic risks, particularly inflation and recession, also regain prominence. Intensifying geopolitical rivalry is amplifying the frequency and scale of cyberattacks and fueling widespread disinformation – now among the most critical long‑term risks for democratic stability, sovereignty and market integrity.
Environmental risks, dominant in previous editions, appear less acute in the very short term, yet remain a major long‑run concern. Ultimately, the report argues that the world is undergoing a phase of deep structural transformation – and that only a renewed commitment to international cooperation can mitigate global risks and strengthen collective resilience.
Author: World Economic Forum
Publisher: World Economic Forum
Publication date: January 2026