Skip to main content
Marsh logo

GLOBAL RISK REPORT

The emerging risks landscape

28/07/2021

The Digital Divide

Biased algorithms, lack of access to information, widening digital skills gaps, and inadequate regulation are exacerbating societal inequalities. If left unaddressed, this will further erode already-fraying societal cohesion. Businesses and governments need to seek new partnerships and approaches to drive digital cohesion without compromising technological advancement.

Generation Pandemic

Youth, already suffering from long-standing intergenerational inequalities, were severely impacted by COVID-19. Impacts to education, migration, and mental health will further harm this generation’s outlook. Avoiding a future of deep societal fracturing requires their voices to be heard and be actively involved in the pandemic recovery process.

Navigating Global Fractures

Deepening rivalries and competition in various domains between superpowers could impede the influence of other G20 nations in international relations and further splinter geopolitics. Such developments could destabilize the global order and slow critical progress on transnational concerns.

A Trilemma of Pressures on Industry

The growing power and influence of nation states, market concentration in the technology sector, and values-driven pressure from consumers, employees, and society at large present complex challenges for industry globally. They need to consider strategy and investments during their COVID-19 recovery to avoid catastrophic outcomes.

2020 Hindsight: Reflecting on Resilience

The COVID-19 crisis has exposed fundamental disconnects between assumptions of global and national pandemic preparedness and the realities of crisis management on the ground. Remarkable examples of determination, cooperation, and innovation have surfaced, particularly with collaboration between the public and private sector, but very few nations have shone across all aspects of their response effort. There are many lessons to be learned to improve our collective management of global risks.

REPORT

The Global Risk Report 2021

The 16th edition of the Global Risks Report, published by the World Economic Forum with support from Marsh McLennan,

Download

Related insights

Placeholder Image

Article

Untangling Asia’s interconnected web of risks

14/04/2024
Global Warming and Climate Change - Icebergs from melting glacier in icefjord in Ilulissat, Greenland. Aerial photo of arctic nature iceberg and ice landscape. Unesco World Heritage Site.

Article

Failure to act looms large in 2021

28/07/2021
Globe with lights seen from space. Globe is covered with a connect network.

Article

Global Risks Report 2021

28/07/2021
Planet earth globe view from space showing realistic earth surface and world map as in outer space point of view . Elements of this image furnished by NASA planet earth from space photos.

Article

Global Risks 2021: Fractured Future

28/07/2021
Wooden dominos in a row (domino effect)

Article

Building a More Resilient Business

25/06/2021
Smoke and steam rising into the air from power plant stacks; dark clouds background; concept for environmental pollution and climate change

Article

The Global Risks Report 2020

30/01/2020
Placeholder Image

Article

The Global Risks Report 2019

01/12/2019