Lack of economic opportunity or unemployment (3%), Erosion of human rights and/or civic freedoms (2%) and Inequality (2%). On the economic front, Inflation is perceived as less of a concern this year than in 2024. However, perceptions of the overall economic outlook for 2025 remain fairly pessimistic across all age groups surveyed. The risk of an Economic downturn (recession, stagnation) continues to be a common concern among respondents, coming in at #6 (5% of respondents), the same position as last year. The perceived vulnerabilities associated with the Economic downturn risk are higher for younger age groups: it is ranked #3 for under 30s, #4 for the 30-39-year age group and #5 for the 40-49-yearage group (Figure 1.2), but does not even feature inthe top 10 for those aged 60 years or older. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th Current global risks, by age group FIGURE 1.2 Source World Economic Forum Global Risks Perception Survey 2024-2025 Extreme weather events State-based armed conﬂict Economic downturn Misinformation and disinformation Societal polarization Erosion of human rights and/or civic freedoms Adverse outcomes of AI technologies Geoeconomic confrontation Lack of economic opportunity Natural resources shortages Asset bubble burst Decline in health and well-being Extreme weather events State-based armed conﬂict Extreme weather events State-based armed conﬂict Extreme weather events State-based armed conﬂict Extreme weather events State-based armed conﬂict Extreme weather events State-based armed conﬂict Economic downturn Misinformation and disinformation Crime and illicit economic activity Critical change to Earth systems Disruptions to a supply chain Geoeconomic confrontation Geoeconomic confrontation Geoeconomic confrontation Geoeconomic confrontation Involuntary migration or displacement Lack of economic opportunity Concentration of strategic resources Inﬂation Misinformation and disinformation Economic downturn Economic downturn Societal polarization Cyber espionage and warfare Concentration of strategic resources Critical change to Earth systems Critical change to Earth systems Critical change to Earth systems Critical change to Earth systems Lack of economic opportunity Adverse outcomes of AI technologies Erosion of human rights and/or civic freedoms Erosion of human rights and/or civic freedoms Misinformation and disinformation Societal polarization Debt Inequality Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse Disruptions to critical infrastructure Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse Erosion of human rights and/or civic freedoms Disruptions to critical infrastructure Concentration of strategic resources Inequality Misinformation and disinformation Societal polarization Involuntary migration or displacement Biological, chemical or nuclear hazards Cyber espionage and warfare Biological, chemical or nuclear hazards Economic downturn Misinformation and disinformation Societal polarization Adverse outcomes of AI technologies Geoeconomic confrontation Asset bubble burstRisk categories Economic Environmental Geopolitical Societal Technological<30 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ Note Sampl e size by age g rou p varie d, and all r espondent s were w eighte d equall y for the purpose s of global rankings. The results ar e based on the following: <3 0 years, n=12 2 (14% of total) ; 30-39, n=154 (17%); 40-49, n=250 (28%); 50-59, n=222 (25%); 60-69, n=104 (12%); and 70+, n=42 (5%). Global Risks Report 2025 14