The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026 describes an international landscape marked by growing geo-economic competition and the weakening of multilateral institutions. The report warns that nations are prioritizing their national interests over collective action, using trade, technology, and finance as tools of strategic influence. According to a survey of 1,300 international experts, the main global risks identified are: Geo-economic confrontation, Interstate armed conflict, Extreme weather events, Social polarization, and Disinformation. In addition to the global study, the report presents the top five risks by country, compiled from a survey of 11,000 business leaders. Respondents were presented with a list of 34 risks and asked to select the five most likely to pose the greatest threat to their country in the next two years. In the case of Mexico, the top five risks were: – Crime and illicit economic activity – Inadequate public services and social protection (such as education, infrastructure, and pensions) – Economic slowdown (e.g., recession, stagnation) – Social polarization – Deterioration of health and well-being. Respondents viewed global prospects both short-term and long-term negatively: 50% of respondents anticipated a turbulent or stormy outlook for the next two years, which deteriorated to 57% of respondents for the next 10 years. Multilateralism is in retreat. The report points out that the multilateral system is under pressure. Loss of trust, declining transparency and respect for the rule of law, along with greater protectionism, threaten long-standing international relations, trade, and investment, and increase the propensity for conflict. It states that geo-economic confrontation is one of the main concerns of the respondents and was selected as the top risk most likely to trigger a significant global crisis in 2026 by 18% of respondents, moving up two places from last year. Uncertainty 2026. Uncertainty is the defining theme of the global risk outlook for 2026, according to the document.
