AXA has published the eleventh edition of its Future Risks Report. This year, more than 23,000 respondents from a double panel of experts and the general population in over 50 countries (Europe, America, Asia-Pacific) expressed their perception of risk. This study is carried out in partnership with IPSOS.
The 2023 study focused on the polycrisis facing our societies. As this continues, it fuels a heightened sense of vulnerability, which is clearly expressed in this year’s survey. 87% of experts believe that the world is more vulnerable to risks than it was previously.
The report identifies the following as the current top ten risks facing organizations and communities:
- Climate change
- Geopolitical instability
- Cyber security risks
- Risks related to AI and big data
- Social tensions and movements
- Natural resources and biodiversity risks
- Energy risks
- New security threats and terrorism
- Pandemics and infectious diseases
- Financial stability risks
Highlights include:
Climate change remains the top concern of experts in every continent
This has been the top risk for the past three years according to the Future Risks Report.
Geopolitical instability is worrying more experts
Second overall this year, geopolitical instability was ranked as the top risk by 16% of experts compared to 9% in 2023.
Cyber security risks continue to be seen as a major threat
Although slipping to third place from second last year, cyber security risks featured in the top five risks of more individual experts.
Social tensions and movements concerns increase
Risks associated with ‘Social tensions and movements’ increased significantly, from 8th last year to 5th this year.
Pandemics drop down the list
Having topped the experts’ lists in 2020, pandemics and infectious diseases now ranks only 9th.
Energy risks have fallen
This has dropped from 4th in 2022 to 7th this year.
New security threats and terrorism are a new entrant
New security threats and terrorism is 8th in the top ten risk list this year, from being outside the top ten last year.
