UN Report Says Large-Scale War Now Tops Global Threat Rankings

The United Nations released its 2026 Global Risk Report, incorporating views from 1,300 experts across governments, NGOs, academia and the private sector worldwide. Large-scale war emerged as the top global threat, climbing 16 positions since the 2024 survey and uniquely appearing in the top six for importance, immediacy, interconnectedness and lack of institutional readiness. About 36 % of participants said a major conflict could impact a sizable portion of the global population within a single year, and 76 % anticipate such effects within seven years.

The report notes a sharp decline in concern over pandemics and digital misinformation, while climate change stays the most important long-term risk but is being eclipsed by security fears. Regional analysis shows weapons of mass destruction entering the top-10 risks in Central and Southern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania, and rising anxiety over AI and economic instability in East Asia, Europe and North America. The UN warns that underfunded multilateral institutions and weak international coordination hinder effective risk mitigation, urging collective action by world leaders.