Global Risks Report 2025 Explained, Check PDF & Highlights

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What is the Global Risks Report?

The Global Risks Report is the World Economic Forum’s annual overview of emerging risks in five areas: economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological. It is based on the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS), which in 2025 collected insights from over 900+ experts. The 2025 edition (the 20th) assesses risk outlooks across short, medium, and long time horizons.

Why is the Global Risks Report important for exams?

For RBI Grade B (ESI/Descriptive), SEBI, and UPSC (GS-II/GS-III, Essays), this report provides reliable data on key macro trends: conflict, trade and geoeconomics, climate and nature risks, technology risks like AI and cyber threats, and social cohesion. Using WEF terminology and rankings can help you support your answers with a trusted source and connect current events with concepts such as growth, inflation, sustainability, governance, and technology policy.

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Global Risks Report 2025 – Key Highlights

The Global Risks Report 2025, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), outlines the most pressing global threats across different time horizons. It helps understand what risks are urgent today, what challenges are expected in the near future, and which long-term risks could shape the world over the next decade.

Immediate 2025 signal: State-based armed conflict emerges as the most urgent risk this year amid heightened geopolitical fragmentation.

2-year horizon (2026–27): Top risks cluster around mis/disinformation, extreme weather, armed conflict, societal polarization, and cyber insecurity/warfare.

10-year horizon (to 2035): Environmental risks dominate extreme weather, critical changes to Earth systems, biodiversity loss, and natural resource shortages repeatedly top the list; advanced tech risks (e.g., adverse AI outcomes) also feature.

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Year wise Global Risks Reports (2010–2025)

Candidates can download the Global Risk Reports PDF provided in the table below from 2010 onwards:

Year wise Global Risks Reports	Links
Global Risks Report 2010	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2011	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2012	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2014	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2015	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2016	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2017	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2018	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2019	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2020	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2021	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2022	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2023	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2024	Download Link
Global Risks Report 2025	Download Link

Key Global Risk Categories

WEF evaluates 33 specific risks mapped to five categories:

Economic (e.g., geoeconomic confrontation, economic downturn)
Environmental (e.g., extreme weather, biodiversity loss)
Geopolitical (e.g., state-based armed conflict)
Societal (e.g., misinformation & disinformation, polarization)
Technological (e.g., cyber insecurity, adverse AI outcomes)

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How to use the Global Risks Report for exam preparation?

The Global Risks Report is a useful resource for exams like RBI Grade B, UPSC, and SEBI Grade A. It explains global economic, environmental, and geopolitical risks that are often asked in current affairs, essays, and interviews. Using the report wisely can give candidates an edge in preparation.

Read strategically: Begin with the Executive Summary and “ranked risks” figures; extract 2-year vs 10-year contrasts for answers.
Build a risk→policy map: For each top risk, jot one cause, one impact, and one policy lever (e.g., misinformation → electoral integrity → media literacy/regulation).
Use data points carefully: Quote “WEF Global Risks Report 2025” as the source; avoid over-generalization.
For essays/descriptive: Contrast short-term shocks vs long-term structural risks this framing scores well.
ESI/GS integration:

RBI Grade B (ESI): inflation/growth shocks from conflict & trade tensions; climate risk to agri/monetary transmission; tech risk & financial stability.
UPSC GS-III: disaster management, climate adaptation/mitigation, cyber security; GS-II: governance, institutions, information integrity.

If you are preparing for exams like RBI Grade B, you can check out the detailed RBI Grade B notification which is expected to be out between 8th to 14th September 2025.

FAQs

Q: Why is the Global Risks Report important for exams?

A: It gives insights into global challenges that are useful for current affairs and descriptive answers.

Q: Which sections of exams can this report help with?

A: It helps in current affairs, economics, environment, governance, and international relations.

Q: How should I read the report for exams?

A: Focus on key highlights, top risks rankings, and trend analysis instead of reading everything.

Q: Can this report help in essay writing?

A: Yes, quoting facts and rankings strengthens essays and answers in exams.

Q: Do I need to memorize all the data?

A: No, just remember the top risks, emerging issues, and notable statistics.

Priti Palit

Priti Palit, is an accomplished edtech writer with 4+ years of experience in Regulatory Exams and other multiple government exams. With a passion for education and a keen eye for detail, she has contributed significantly to the field of online learning. Priti’s expertise and dedication continue to empower aspiring individuals in their pursuit of success in government examinations.