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As we step into 2025, the world faces an increasingly complex and fragmented landscape. The Global Risks Report 2025, based on insights from over 900 global experts, paints a picture of geopolitical instability, economic tensions, societal divisions, and accelerating environmental challenges. Understanding these risks is crucial for organisations looking to build resilience and adapt to a rapidly evolving world. At Colectivo, we help businesses navigate these transitions, ensuring they remain impact-driven and future-ready.
A Decline in Optimism: The Rising Pessimism of Global Experts
The report reveals a widespread sense of uncertainty and pessimism about the future. Over half (52%) of surveyed experts anticipate an unsettled global landscape in the next two years. With escalating conflicts, worsening climate events, and the rapid spread of misinformation, many doubt that current governance structures can effectively address the challenges ahead.
Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Tensions on the Rise
State-based armed conflicts have surged in global concern, now ranking as the #1 risk for 2025. Additionally, economic tensions are intensifying, with geoeconomic confrontation jumping from #14 to #9 in the risk ranking. Trade disputes, economic sanctions, and technological rivalries further complicate international relations, making collaboration more challenging.
The Growing Threat of Societal Fragmentation
Social divisions, driven by inequality and political polarisation, continue to deepen. The report highlights inequality as the most interconnected risk, influencing and being influenced by economic downturns, inflation, and debt crises. Other significant societal risks include involuntary migration, erosion of human rights, and societal polarisation. The long-term outlook suggests that without targeted action, these fractures could contribute to sustained social and political instability.
Environmental Risks: From Long-Term Concern to Immediate Crisis
Environmental challenges are no longer distant threats, they are urgent realities. Extreme weather events rank as the top risk for the next decade, followed closely by biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. Younger generations, in particular, express heightened concern over pollution and its long-term impacts. The divergence between public and private sector risk assessments highlights the need for businesses to align their strategies with pressing environmental challenges. At Colectivo, we work with organisations to integrate sustainability into their core strategies, ensuring they remain resilient in the face of these growing risks.
The Underrated Risks of Technology
Despite rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology, technological risks remain underestimated. While AI tools continue to evolve, their potential for harm—particularly through the spread of misinformation—poses serious risks to societal stability. Over a 10-year horizon, concerns around adverse AI outcomes rise significantly, reflecting the need for proactive governance and ethical considerations in technological development. Similarly, advances in biotech, particularly AI-driven gene editing, present both opportunities and risks that demand careful oversight.
A Fragmenting World: The Challenge of Global Cooperation
The report underscores a worrying trend, deepening divisions in global politics, economics, and societal structures. With 64% of respondents predicting a fragmented global order over the next decade, multilateral cooperation appears increasingly difficult. However, collaboration remains the only viable path forward. To address shared global risks, leaders must find new ways to build consensus and drive collective action.
Building Resilience in an Uncertain Future
The findings of the Global Risks Report 2025 serve as a wake-up call. Businesses and organisations must take a proactive stance in addressing global risks, from strengthening sustainability initiatives to fostering social cohesion and adapting to geopolitical shifts. At Colectivo, we help organisations navigate these complexities by fostering awareness, activating change, and applying cutting-edge design principles to sustainability challenges.
The future remains uncertain, but by taking decisive action today, we can build a more resilient and impact-driven world.
💡 How is your organisation preparing for these challenges? Join the conversation and explore solutions with us at Colectivo.