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Ranked: The Top 10 Global Risks That Will Define the Future

Published

2 months ago

February 5, 2025

Govind Bhutada

Graphics/Design:

Joyce Ma

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The Top Global Risks Defining the Future

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In 2025 and beyond, the global risk landscape is being reshaped by rapid technological changes, environmental hazards, and growing geopolitical stress.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) surveyed over 900 experts to determine the most critical short- and long-term risks facing the world.

This infographic, based on the WEF’s Global Risks Report, highlights the top 10 most impactful global risks over a short term (2 years) and long term (10 years).

The Most Impactful Short-Term Risks

Considering advancements in AI technology, trade tensions, and the impacts of climate change, the top 10 risks for 2027 are as follows:

Rank	Short-Term Risks (2 Years)	Risk Category
1	Misinformation and disinformation	Technological
2	Extreme weather events	Environmental
3	State-based armed conflict	Geopolitical
4	Societal polarization	Societal
5	Cyber espionage and warfare	Technological
6	Pollution	Environmental
7	Inequality	Societal
8	Involuntary migration or displacement	Societal
9	Geoeconomic confrontation	Geopolitical
10	Erosion of human rights and/or civic freedoms	Societal

Misinformation and disinformation is the top risk for 2027, with AI-based content creation tools threatening the proliferation of fake news and misleading content.

The impacts of climate change are becoming more evident with frequent extreme weather events, the second-most impactful risk for 2027. These include wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that leave lasting economic and social damage.

Other major short-term risks include state-based armed conflict, cyber warfare, and societal risks like polarization and inequality.

The Most Impactful Long-Term Risks

In the long term through 2035, environmental risks are expected to have the most impact globally.

Rank	Long-Term Risks (10 Years)	Risk Category
1	Extreme weather events	Environmental
2	Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse	Environmental
3	Critical change to Earth systems	Environmental
4	Natural resource shortages	Environmental
5	Misinformation and disinformation	Technological
6	Adverse outcomes of AI technologies	Technological
7	Inequality	Societal
8	Societal polarization	Societal
9	Cyber espionage and warfare	Technological
10	Pollution	Environmental

Extreme weather events are projected to become even more of a concern by 2035, alongside other environmental risks like habitat changes and biodiversity loss. These are indirect impacts of climate change and rising global temperatures.

Geopolitical and societal risks have a declining influence over the long term. However, technological concerns from misinformation and the potential misuse of AI technologies will remain critical.

The report outlines various measures to mitigate these risks, including additional funding for climate action, global treaties to address armed conflict, and digital literacy campaigns against misinformation.