As protectionism and strategic industrial policy are on the rise and governments take more active control of critical supply chains, the Global Risks Report 2026 paints a picture of a “more intensely competitive” world.
68% of respondents believe that over the next decade, the global political environment will become more fragmented and multipolar. Only 6% expect the post-war international order and its multilateral institutions to be revived as national interests are put ahead of collective action.
With uncertainty set to remain the only constant, this puts into relief the continued need for cooperation across emerging fault lines. Effective dialogue – the core theme of the forthcoming Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum at Davos – will be vital for jointly shaping the path ahead.