52% of experts bleak about future amidst misinformation, weather risks

In the long-term, experts grow worrisome about environmental risks.

Over half of global experts are pessimistic about the world outlook over the next two years amidst risks such as misinformation/disinformation and extreme weather events being most concerned about, revealed a World Economic Forum report.

The Global Risks Report 2025, with inputs from Marsh McLennan and Zurich Insurance Group, is based on insights from over 900 experts through the Global Risks Perception Survey 2024 to 2025, highlighting a grim global outlook across geopolitical, environmental, societal, economic, and technological domains. 

By severity, the most concerning risk that can impact the world in the next two years is misinformation and disinformation. This was followed by extreme weather events, state-based armed conflict, societal polarisation, and cyber espionage and warfare.

Meanwhile, risks cautioned about for the long-term (10 years) centre around environmental risks. 

Mainly, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, critical changes to earth systems, and natural resource shortages.

Nearly a third (31%) of the respondents also expect turbulence and 5% predict stormy conditions—a four-percentage-point increase in negative sentiment compared to last year.

The long-term outlook is bleaker, with 62% of respondents foreseeing stormy or turbulent conditions by 2035. 

This sustained pessimism reflects doubts about the ability of societal mechanisms and governing institutions to address the risks and fragility evident today. 

The report examines risks over three timeframes: immediate (2025), short- to medium-term (to 2027), and long-term (to 2035), offering analysis and six in-depth studies of key risk themes.