Global Risks Report 2026

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released the Global Risks Report 2026, based on its Global Risks Perception Survey.

• The Report  identifies cybersecurity as the most significant risk for India in 2026.

Key Highlights from the Report

• Top Global Risk: Geoeconomic confrontation emerges as the single biggest global risk in 2026.
  • It overtakes State-based armed conflict and extreme weather events.
• Trend Shift: Geoeconomic confrontation has risen two positions compared to last year to rank first.
  • State-based armed conflict has fallen to second position.
• Technology-Related Risks Rising:
  • Misinformation and disinformation rank 5th globally (7% respondents).
  • Adverse outcomes of AI technologies enter the top 10 at rank 8.
  • Cyber insecurity ranks 9th globally, reflecting heightened digital vulnerabilities.

• Major Risk Trends:
• • Immediate to Short–Medium Term (2026–2028): The report flags geoeconomic confrontation, state-based armed conflicts, extreme weather events, and rising societal polarisation as dominant risks affecting global stability and economic growth.
  • Long-Term Outlook (up to 2036): Misinformation and Information, Extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse emerge as the most severe threats, underscoring the deepening climate–nature crisis

India-Specific Risk Profile (2026)

• Cybersecurity (Top risk) driven by heavy reliance on digital infrastructure and payment systems such as UPI. 
• Income and wealth inequality: Highlights persistent structural disparities and uneven economic gains
• Insufficient public services and social protection.
• Economic slowdown due to external shocks, tariffs and supply-chain disruptions.
• State-based armed conflict, including strategic resource tensions like water security in the Indus River Basin.

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About Global Risks Report 

• The Global Risks Report is an annual flagship publication that identifies and analyses the most significant global risks likely to impact the world in the short term (2 years) and long term (10 years).
  • The Global Risks Report 2026 is the 21st annual assessment published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). 
  • It is based on the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS), which gathers insights from leaders across government, business, academia, civil society, and international organisations.
• The report is published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) ahead of the Davos Annual Meeting.

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