WEF 2024 Top Risks: 2-year Horizon
Top 10 Risks from the World Economic Forum 2024 Global Risks Report – Two Year Horizon
Top 10 Risks from the World Economic Forum 2024 Global Risks Report – Two Year Horizon
The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2024 takes a comprehensive approach to examine global risks over one, two and ten years. In this blog, we consolidate key findings, focus on risks expected to escalate by 2026, dive into the top ten global risks identified in Global Risks Perception Survey 2023-2024 (GRPS2023-2024), and provide key insights.
Outlook for the World over the next 2-Years
The GRPS 2023-2024 survey reveals varied perspectives for the two-year horizon. A majority (54%) anticipates instability and moderate global catastrophe risks, while 27% expect even greater turbulence. Only 3% foresee imminent catastrophic risks, and a mere 16% predict stability. The global outlook, according to GRPS2023-2024, indicates increasing challenges and a concerning trajectory, with54% foreseeing instability in the next two years. This pessimistic view is expected to intensify, with nearly two-thirds envisioning a future marked by stormy conditions over the subsequent decade.
The Risk Landscape in 2024
The respondents have identified the top five global risks most likely to pose a significant crisis in 2024.
1. Extreme weather(selected by 66% of the respondents)
2. AI-generated misinformation and disinformation (by 53%)
3. Societal and/or political polarization (by 46%)
4. Cost-of-living crisis(by 42%)
5. Cyberattacks (by 39%)
Top 10 Global Risks over 2-Years (2026)
The following is the list of Top 10 Global Risks in the two-year time frame.
1. Misinformation and disinformation
2. Extreme weather events
3. Societal polarization
4. Cyber insecurity
5. Interstate armed conflict
6. Lack of economic opportunity
7. Inflation
8. Involuntary migration
9. Economic downturn
10. Pollution
Global risk landscape of 2026: Challenges in Geopolitics, Economy, and Society
In the imminent global risk landscape of 2026, a convergence of challenges is reshaping geopolitical, economic, and societal stability. The surge in misinformation and disinformation poses a formidable threat, particularly to electoral processes. Deteriorating trust in information sources, media, and governments can trigger civil unrest, forming a self-perpetuating cycle. Governments grapple with regulatory responses, risking a lag behind technological advancements and threatening global trust in elections. The proliferation of AI-generated content accentuates these risks, highlighting the critical impact on political stability and global social cohesion.
Global geopolitical hotspots: Navigating high-stakes consequences and State fragility
Critical hotspots in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan introduce high-stakes consequences, fostering conditions conducive to hostilities and exacerbating State fragility. Navigating these geopolitical dynamics demands vigilance and strategic foresight to avert potential crises.
Navigating economic challenges: Strategies for uncertain times and inflation risks
Economic challenges add a new dimension to the risk landscape, with inflation and economic downturn securing positions among the top 10 global risks. This shift underscores the growing significance of economic uncertainties, emphasizing the need for careful planning and policy measures. The near-term outlook is marked by high uncertainty influenced by domestic factors and ongoing geopolitical developments. Supply-side pressures and demand uncertainty pose challenges of inflation and high interest rates, impacting small- and medium-sized enterprises and heavily indebted countries. Astute risk management and adaptive strategies are essential to navigate this intricate economic terrain.
Societal polarization: Unraveling challenges and multifaceted risks to global well-being
Societal polarization emerges as the third-most severe global risk, fueled by factors like political polarization and economic hardship. Eroding trust and shared values amplify the potential for manipulated narratives to thrive, influencing public discourse and contributing to animosity, bias, and discrimination. This interconnected risk holds the capacity to trigger and be influenced by other risks, presenting a multifaceted challenge with implications for mental health, social justice, and broader societal well-being.
CyberInsecurity: Navigating the interconnected threats in the digital era
Ranked fourth among global risks, cyber insecurity poses significant threats to the interconnected world. The persistence of cyberattacks underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures, given technological advancements and increasing reliance on digital platforms. The interconnected nature of cyber risks emphasizes the importance of addressing cyber insecurity collaboratively on a global scale.
Global risks in 2026: Navigating complex challenges and fostering global collaboration
In conclusion, the next two years bring a complex global risk landscape with challenges like misinformation, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, societal polarization, and cyber threats. Navigating this demands a concerted global effort, emphasizing interconnected risks and the need for collaborative strategies to mitigate their impact on political stability, economic resilience, and societal well-being.
