Global Risks Report 2026: Geopolitical and Economic Risks Rise in New Age of Competition
you are currently viewing:Global Risks Report 2026: Geopolitical and Economic Risks Rise in New Age of CompetitionJanuary 14, 2026-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.
The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026, published today, finds geoeconomic confrontation emerges as the top risk for the year, followed by interstate conflict, extreme weather, societal polarization and misinformation and disinformation. The outlook from leaders and experts shows deep concern. Half of those surveyed anticipate a turbulent or stormy world over the next two years, up 14 percentage points from last year. A further 40% expect the two-year outlook to be unsettled at the very least, while 9% expect stability and 1% predict calm. When it comes to the outlook for the next 10 years, 57% expect a turbulent or stormy world, 32% expect things to be unsettled, 10% predict stability and 1% anticipate calm. Source: WEF (World Economic Forum) |
December 15, 2025-Global value chains (GVCs) have been resilient in the face of rising geopolitical tensions,financial uncertainty,climate pressures and the COVID-19 pandemic according to the GVC Development Report 2025 launched at the WTO on 15 December.
December 5, 2025-Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume has released its latest Crypto Derivatives Analytics Report in collaboration with Block Scholes, revealing cautiously optimistic signals in cryptocurrency markets following a volatile start to December.
December 3, 2025-Interest rates are a key monetary policy tool used by central banks around the world to encourage changes in economic activity.
But as the global population continues to skew older, traditional monetary policy tools such as rate-setting may become less effective.
Central banks need to find ways to keep interest rates relevant, but also develop alternative tools to navigate an uncertain global economy.
December 3, 2025-Despite challenges, there are ample reasons for broad optimism, including AI-driven cost savings
Despite an outlook that is complicated by contradictions in the U.S. economy and an evolving geopolitical order, Global X Management Company LLC ("Global X"), the New York-based provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), believes there are ample reasons for broad optimism on the U.S. economy as well as certain international markets heading into the new year.
December 2, 2025-The global economy has proved more resilient than expected this year, supported by improved financial conditions, rising AI-related investment and trade, and macroeconomic policies. However, underlying fragilities are increasing. Labour markets are showing first signs of weakening despite the OECD unemployment rate steady at 4.9%, with job vacancies falling below their 2019 average in many countries and confidence softening.
December 2, 2025-The value of global goods imports affected by new tariffs and other import measures increased more than fourfold from mid-October 2024 to mid-October 2025 compared to the prior 12-month period,marking the highest coverage in over 15 years of WTO trade monitoring,according to the WTO Director-General's latest annual overview of developments in the international trading environment.
November 28, 2025-Goods trade growth appears to have slowed in the second half of 2025 following a surge in the first half driven by frontloading of imports ahead of expected tariff hikes and by rising demand for AI-related products, according to the latest WTO Goods Trade Barometer.
November 28, 2025-The global economy faces three potential financial bubbles related to cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence and debt.
All three are interconnected.
Bubbles tend to cause serious short-term pain when they burst-but they can also fundamentally reshape economies with lasting benefits.
It's not exactly reassuring when so many people start scanning the past for a read on what's happening in the present.