The Global Risks Report 2018

The 13th edition of the Global Risks Report identifies the key risks challenging businesses, governments and society as a whole in the year ahead. Living in an era of unprecedented technological, scientific and financial resources, we have an urgent opportunity to manage the evolving global risks landscape, including the increasingly complex systemic risks we face. As in previous years, the Report is based on the annual Global Risks Perception Survey, completed by 900 members of the World Economic Forum’s global multi-stakeholder community. Respondents are drawn from business, academia, civil society and the public.

Future shocks

As the world becomes more complex and interconnected, sudden and dramatic breakdowns—future shocks—become more likely. This new section of the Global Risks Report focuses on the possible future shocks that could fundamentally disrupt or destabilize our world, and what you can do to help prevent them (including discussions around global supply chain, artificial intelligence, bilateral trade wars, populism, extinction, economic/financial crises, etc.)

How can businesses respond to these global risks?

The increased interconnectivity, complexity and potential impact of global risks are here to stay. In such a context, caring for business and our future means considering everything that could affect it.

Companies need to look at those global risks that could have a direct or indirect impact on their business, and define a holistic approach to managing those risks.

For that, it is important to understand the triggers, trends and scenarios to look out for, and to prepare for the possible consequences.