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Global Risks Report: Geoeconomic Confrontation Tops Threats

1/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Geoeconomic confrontation is the foremost global threat in the Global Risks Report 2026.
The report shows 18% of experts foresee a crisis within two years.
Saadia Zahidi, of the World Economic Forum, says economic tools are used as weapons, signaling a shift from cooperation to competition.
Peter Giger, of the World Economic Forum, notes infrastructure risks are undervalued, ranking 22nd short-term and 23rd long-term threats, a dangerous oversight.

History

Historical Context

The 2008 Global Risks Report revealed the severe impact of the financial crisis, which caused a 40% drop in global stock markets and a 0.1% contraction in global GDP. This crisis highlighted vulnerabilities in economic systems and governance, leading to ongoing geoeconomic tensions. Experts now warn that nations must reassess economic dependencies to prevent repeating past mistakes as they face potential downturns.

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Story summary

Geoeconomic confrontation is the foremost global threat in the Global Risks Report 2026.
The report shows 18% of experts foresee a crisis within two years.
Saadia Zahidi, of the World Economic Forum, says economic tools are used as weapons, signaling a shift from cooperation to competition.
Peter Giger, of the World Economic Forum, notes infrastructure risks are undervalued, ranking 22nd short-term and 23rd long-term threats, a dangerous oversight.

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