International ReportsImportant2025-01-15

WEF Global Risks Report 2025 Published

In News

What Happened

On January 15, 2025, the World Economic Forum released the 20th edition of its Global Risks Report ahead of its annual Davos meeting. Based on the Global Risks Perception Survey of over 900 experts, it identifies state-based armed conflict, extreme weather, and disinformation as the top immediate threats for 2025. Meanwhile, environmental crises, particularly extreme weather and biodiversity loss, completely dominate the list of severe risks over the ten-year horizon.

Why It Matters

The report specifically highlights India for the second consecutive year as a top country at severe risk from misinformation and disinformation. This underscores the urgent need for India to strengthen its digital regulatory frameworks, combat AI-generated deepfakes, and build societal resilience to protect its democratic processes and digital economy.

Background

History & Context

The Global Risks Report has been published annually by the World Economic Forum since 2006 to serve as an early-warning system for global leaders. The 2025 edition relies on the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS), aggregating insights from risk experts, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide. It is designed to frame the agenda for the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global systemic shocks.

What Changed

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BEFORE: Economic concerns such as the cost-of-living crisis and post-pandemic inflation dominated the immediate global risk landscape in previous recent reports. NOW: State-based armed conflict and extreme weather have escalated to become the absolute most pressing immediate global risks for 2025.
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BEFORE: Misinformation was primarily viewed as a localized political nuisance or a standard byproduct of social media usage. NOW: AI-powered misinformation and disinformation are classified as top-tier global threats that actively drive societal polarization, cyber espionage, and systemic democratic instability.
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BEFORE: Environmental risks were acknowledged but often shared the long-term spotlight with technological or economic challenges. NOW: Environmental threats comprehensively dominate the 10-year horizon, capturing the top four spots (extreme weather, biodiversity loss, critical earth system changes, and natural resource shortages).

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This connects directly to Class 12 Geography Chapter 8 on Environmental and Natural Resources. The WEF report's focus on long-term biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and resource shortages practically applies the NCERT concepts regarding the degradation of the global commons and the necessity of international cooperation to prevent irreversible ecological tipping points.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

With reference to the WEF Global Risks Report 2025, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Misinformation and disinformation are highlighted as the primary risks dominating the ten-year long-term horizon. 2. State-based armed conflict is identified as the most pressing immediate global risk for the year 2025.

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