Wars, extreme weather events top global risks: Davos study

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Armed conflict is the biggest risk this year, a World Economic Forum survey warned on Wednesday, as political divisions and fragmentation deepen worldwide.

Published ahead of next week´s annual schmoozefest of business and political elites in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos, the survey´s respondents also warned of other threats including extreme weather events, economic tensions and disinformation.

Nearly a quarter of the over 900 experts surveyed identified conflict as the greatest risk in WEF´s Global Risks Report 2025.

“We have a record number of conflicts, unfortunately, around the world,” said Mirek Dusek, WEF managing director, pointing to the “humanitarian emergencies and the suffering that comes with it”.

Political and business leaders´ concerns over raging conflicts have proliferated after war only ranked as the fifth biggest global risk in 2024.

This year´s forum begins on Monday, the same day as the inauguration ceremony for incoming US president Donald Trump in Washington.

Trump is expected to speak by video link during the forum on January 23 and will figure highly in talks over what risks his more protectionist approach to trade may bring for the global economy.