World Economic Forum Released Global Risks Report 2026 | 16 Jan 2026

Why in News 

The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the Global Risks Report 2026, the 21st edition of its annual assessment of global risk perceptions and anticipated threats. 

Key Points: 

  • Age of Competition: The report underscores “uncertainty” as the defining characteristic of the global risk landscape in 2026 and highlights a transition into an “age of competition” where geopolitical and economic confrontations are overtaking cooperation, and traditional multilateral systems are under strain. 
  • Top Short-Term Threat: In the immediate outlook (to 2028), economic and geopolitical tensions have overtaken environmental concerns in urgency 
    • Geoeconomic Confrontation: Rising to the top spot (up from #3 in 2025), this includes the "weaponization" of trade through tariffs, sanctions, and investment restrictions. 
    • Misinformation and Disinformation: Driven by AI-generated deepfakes, particularly during election cycles, threatening social stability. 
    • Societal Polarization: Intensifying pressures on democratic systems and public trust. 
    • Extreme Weather Events: Dropped from 2nd to 4th place in short-term salience, though they remain the top long-term threat. 
  • Long-Term Risks (10-Year Horizon): Environmental threats continue to dominate the decade-long outlook, with Extreme Weather Events and Biodiversity Loss ranked as the most severe.  
    • Notably, Adverse Outcomes of AI Technologies saw the largest rise in severity, jumping from 30th in the short term to 5th place in the 10-year horizon. 
  • Key Findings for India:The report identifies specific "hot spot" risks most likely to impact India over the next two years are 
    • Cyber insecurity: Ranked as the top risk due to India's rapid shift toward digital payments and infrastructure. 
    • Wealth and Income Inequality: A primary driver of internal social instability. 
    • Critical Infrastructure & Resource Security: Highlights "water security" as a major flashpoint, specifically regarding the Indus River Basin. 
    • Economic External Shocks: Susceptibility to global supply chain disruptions and international tariffs.