| Global Risk Definition | Threats causing major negative impact on population, economy, or ecosystems. | Cross-border, rapid spread, ripple effects. |
| Report Methodology | Based on expert surveys; categorizes risks as geopolitical, economic, societal, technological, environmental. | Interconnected risks, cascading effects. |
| Geopolitical Risks | Geoeconomic confrontation (sanctions, trade barriers, tech controls) is the top 2026 crisis trigger. | Economic warfare, supply chain disruptions. |
| Armed Conflict Risks | State-based conflicts combining warfare, cyberattacks, sanctions, and misinformation. | Infrastructure damage, migration, military spending. |
| Information Crisis | Misinformation/disinformation fuels polarization, distrust, and unrest. | Deepfakes, election interference, social division. |
| Economic Risks | Downturn, inflation, asset bubbles, debt crises, and inequality. | Trade barriers, currency volatility, job losses. |
| Cyber Insecurity | Attacks on banks, grids, healthcare, and governments. | Ransomware, state-sponsored hacking, weak defenses. |
| AI Risks | Deepfakes, job displacement, bias, surveillance, autonomous weapons. | AI governance gaps, concentration of power. |
| Environmental Risks | Extreme weather, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse dominate long-term threats. | Food/water shortages, climate migration, health crises. |
| Inequality | Fuels unrest, polarization, crime, and institutional distrust. | Wealth gap, political instability. |
| Global Order Shift | Move toward multipolarity or fragmentation (competing blocs, inconsistent rules). | Weakened international cooperation. |
