Global map of risks

The Global Risks Report released annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF) tracks global risks perceptions among risk experts and world leaders in business, government and civil society. This year, environmental risks appear as top risks in the short-, medium-and long-term outlooks. Climate action failure, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse were considered the top three of the top 10 global risks by severity over the next 10 years.

The key findings of the survey and the analysis are:

• COVID-19 crisis effects: Respondents noted that societal and environmental risks have worsened the most since the start of the pandemic, including, among others, “social cohesion erosion”, “livelihood crises” and “mental health deterioration”.
  
  
• Growth perspectives: Only 11% of respondents thought the world would be characterized by an accelerating global recovery towards 2024.
  
  
• Global risks by severity over the next 10 years: Respondents signal again that environmental risks have the potential to yield the most damage to people and the planet, followed by societal challenges. “Debt crises” and “geoeconomic confrontations” are also in the top 10 risks by severity over the next 10 years.
  
  
• Risk Horizon over the coming years: Environmental risks appear as top risks in the short-, medium-and long-term outlooks. In the medium term, there are economic risks such as “debt crises” or “asset bubble burst”. In the longer-term horizon, geopolitical and technological risks are of concern, too.
  
  
• A divergent recovery threatens long-term prosperity for all, impacting on the world's ability to tackle common challenges such as climate change, enhancing digital safety or social cohesion.
  
  
• Growing dependency on digital systems. At the same time, cybersecurity threats are growing and outpacing societies’ ability to effectively prevent or respond to them.
  
  
• Involuntary migration is also a top long-term concern. Driven by growing insecurity in the forms of economic hardship, worsening impacts of climate change and political persecution, which will force millions to leave their homes in search of a better future.