Youth Pulse 2026

When asked about the greatest threats to the world, 56% of survey respondents identified climate change and environmental degradation as the top global risk – well ahead of armed conflict (44%) and governance failures (29%). This aligns with global analysis from the “Global Risks Report 2025”, which places extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse at the top of the decade’s threats.26 UNICEF and UNDP’s “Emerging Horizons” report also shows that young people across 170 countries consistently rank climate change and justice among their highest priorities.27 The consensus is clear: for this generation, climate change is not just an environmental issue but a political, economic and moral one – the defining challenge of this time and the current generations. Young people recognize that progress depends on collective action: governments implementing ambitious climate policies, businesses driving sustainable innovation, and communities mobilizing local resilience.Climate change remains the defining global concern Greatest challenges to the world and to individuals FIGURE 15 Pandemics and health crises Mass migration and refugee crisesPolitical polarization and societal division Economic instability and inflation Inequality and unemploymentClimate change and environmental degradation Armed conflicts and wars Governance failures and corruption Food insecurity and water scarcity Misinformation and disinformation Digital threats and technological risksWhich of the following global challenges pose the greatest threat to the world? Which of the following global challenges pose the greatest threat to the world?Which of the following global challenges pose the greatest threat to your life? 9,3%11,9%17,2%19,5%25%43,9%56,4% 26%28,5% 27%27,7% 11,3% 15,1%19,2% 19,5%21,8%35,6% 37,6%40,6% 27,3%50,7% 5,7% Youth Pulse 2026: Insights from the next generation for a changing world 36