Armed Conflict, Extreme Weather and Disinformation Reign as Top Global Risks for 2025, WEF Survey Finds
A WEF survey identifies state-based armed conflict, extreme weather, and disinformation as the top global risks for 2025, calling for enhanced international collaboration to address escalating geopolitical and environmental challenges.
Published on April 9, 2025
On January 15, 2025, the World Economic Forum released its Global Risks Report, with nearly 23% of risk specialists identifying state-based armed conflict as the most pressing concern. Extreme weather events—including heatwaves, tornadoes, and floods—and the spread of disinformation were also confirmed as critical challenges, underscoring a landscape marked by rising geopolitical tensions and environmental vulnerabilities.
The report, discussed at the annual Davos meeting attended by close to 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, highlights the need for international collaboration to mitigate these risks. Supplemental coverage from Reuters and additional WEF publications reinforces that, alongside the immediate threats of conflict and climate crises, concerns such as cybersecurity, driven by advances in AI, are also emerging as factors that could further destabilize global stability over the coming years.