Across the world, there are deep divisions between those who are trying to preserve one value system and the institutions built around it, and others who hold opposing views. Groups that have not benefited from the prevailing political, societal and economic orders are now playing a more pivotal political role. At the heart of this division is Societal polarization, which, according to the Global Risks Perception Survey 2025-2026 (GRPS) is the third-most severe risk over the next two years, an increase of one position in ranking since last year. Further, Societal polarization is identified by respondents as contributing to Misinformation and disinformation, Inequality and Intrastate Values at war 2.3 7% 23% 16% 16% 14% 22% 1% 4% 25% 8% 23% 20% 19% 1% Short-term (2 years) and long-term (10 years) risk severity score distribution: Societal polarization, 2026–2028FIGURE 30 Source World Economic Forum Global Risks Perception Survey 2025-2026Present or perceived ideological and cultural divisions within and across communities leading to declining social stability, gridlocks in decision-making, economic disruption and increased political polarization. Note Severity was assessed on a 1-7 Likert scale [1 – Low severity, 7 – High severity]. The percentages in the graphs may not add up to 100% because ﬁgures have been rounded up/down.1 Low High 2 3 4 5 6 7Severity 10-year rank: 9th 10-year average risk severity score: 5.12 4.65 10 years 2 years –Distinguishing truth from falsehood is becoming more difficult, especially online, and this is deepening societal fragmentation and contributing to desensitization. –An outdated social contract is diminishing trust between citizens and governments, with corporations in a difficult middle ground. –Climate action is caught in societal, political and economic crosswinds. Markus Spiske, Unsplash Global Risks Report 2026 32