Global Risks Report Explained, Check PDF & Highlights

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Published on 8 May 2026 by

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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What are the key highlights of the Global Risks Report 2025?

The Global Risks Report 2025 published by the World Economic Forum identifies the most significant threats expected to affect the world across immediate, short-term, and long-term horizons. The report highlights growing geopolitical tensions, the rise of misinformation, cyber insecurity, climate-related disasters, and environmental degradation as the major concerns shaping global stability. While state-based armed conflict has emerged as the most urgent risk in 2025, environmental risks such as extreme weather and biodiversity loss dominate the long-term outlook up to 2035. The report also warns about technological risks, including adverse outcomes from artificial intelligence.

Time HorizonKey Risks HighlightedMajor Observation
Immediate Risk (2025)State-based armed conflictGeopolitical fragmentation and rising international tensions make armed conflict the most urgent global threat
2-Year Horizon (2026–27)Mis/disinformation, extreme weather, armed conflict, societal polarization, cyber insecuritySocial instability, digital threats, and climate events are expected to intensify in the near future
10-Year Horizon (to 2035)Extreme weather, biodiversity loss, Earth system changes, natural resource shortages, adverse AI outcomesEnvironmental risks dominate the long-term outlook, while advanced technology risks are also increasing
Technology RisksAdverse AI outcomes, cyber warfareRapid technological advancement may create security and governance challenges
Environmental ConcernsClimate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcityEnvironmental degradation remains the most persistent long-term global risk
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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 ReportsLinks
Global Risks Report 2010Download Link
Global Risks Report 2011Download Link
Global Risks Report 2012Download Link
Global Risks Report 2014Download Link
Global Risks Report 2015Download Link
Global Risks Report 2016Download Link
Global Risks Report 2017Download Link
Global Risks Report 2018Download Link
Global Risks Report 2019Download Link
Global Risks Report 2020Download Link
Global Risks Report 2021Download Link
Global Risks Report 2022Download Link
Global Risks Report 2023Download Link
Global Risks Report 2024Download Link
Global Risks Report 2025Download 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:
  1. RBI Grade B (ESI): inflation/growth shocks from conflict & trade tensions; climate risk to agri/monetary transmission; tech risk & financial stability.
  2. 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 released on 29th April 2026. The Phase 1 exam is scheduled for 13th and 14th May 2026.

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.