Every year, prior to the big event in Davos Switzerland where movers and shakers from around the world get together, the World Economic Forum produces a Global Risks Report. The report includes a survey of around one thousand members of their stakeholder communities. The results reported are worth the attention of executives that participate in risk management programs at their companies.

The top 5 global risks in terms of likelihood are:

  • Extreme weather conditions
  • Failure of climate-change mitigation and adaptation
  • Natural disasters
  • Data fraud or theft
  • Cyber-attacks

The top 5 risks in terms of impact include:

  • Weapons of mass destruction
  • Failure of climate-change mitigation and adaptation
  • Extreme weather events
  • Water crises
  • Natural disasters

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