The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026 provides a comprehensive reading of the nature of the risks the world faces in the short and medium term, based on the Global Risks Perception Survey and the contributions of experts, policymakers and business leaders. The report aims to help decision makers understand the growing interdependence between geopolitical, economic, technological, environmental and social risks.
I. Methodological framework of the report
The report is based on a methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative analysis, through:
The Global Risk Perception Survey, which measures experts' expectations about the most likely and influential risks.
Analyzing the major trends reshaping the international system.
Linking short-term risks to long-term structural risks.
Global short-term risks (1-2 years)
The report focuses on a range of urgent risks, most notably:
Escalation of geopolitical tensions: Continuation and regional expansion of armed conflicts, and the associated risks of miscalculation and unintended escalation.
Macroeconomic pressures: Slower growth, inflation, and debt crises in developing countries, as the gap between advanced and emerging economies grows.
Disruptions in supply chains: the result of conflicts, trade restrictions, and climate change.
Medium and long-term risks (5-10 years)
The report notes that structural risks are likely to worsen, including:
Climate change and loss of biodiversity: two of the most serious long-term threats to economic stability and food security.
Demographic shifts: population aging in some regions versus rapid population growth in others, and associated pressures on resources and services.
Erosion of trust in institutions: the result of political polarization, misinformation, and weak governance.
Fourth: Technological Risks
The report singles out an important area for technology-related risks, especially: artificial intelligence and advanced technologies: risks of uncontrolled use, the regulatory gap, and their impact on the labor market.
Cybersecurity: Increasing cyber attacks on critical infrastructure, countries, and institutions.
Disinformation: The use of digital technology to influence public opinion and political instability.
Fifth: Risk Interconnections
The report asserts that the risks are no longer discrete, but intertwined; The economic crisis may fuel social unrest, which in turn could lead to political instability, which would have repercussions on regional and international security.
Sixth: The report's implications for decision-makers in the Arab region and Iraq
"For the Arab states and Iraq in particular, the report highlights a number of signs:
Strengthen national risk management and link it to strategic planning.
Invest in economic resilience and diversify sources of income.
Protecting critical infrastructure from cyber and environmental risks.
Develop proactive policies to deal with climate change and water and food security.
The Global Risks Report 2026 concludes that the world is entering a period of high uncertainty, and that dealing with risks is no longer possible through narrow sectoral policies, but requires a comprehensive, collaborative, and proactive approach. The report is an important reference tool for decision makers to understand the changing global environment and build more robust and resilient policies in the face of future crises.
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