For 13 years, AXA’s Future Risks Report has analyzed the key emerging risks likely to transform our societies over the next five to ten years. The 2026 edition is based on a survey conducted by Ipsos, involving 4,345 experts across 62 countries and regions, as well as 24,000 representative members of the general public in 19 countries. Respondents ranked 20 major risks according to their potential impact on society.

The Future Risks Report pursues a dual objective:

• To shed light on emerging risks and their interconnections,
• To inform strategies for prevention, protection, and resilience, for the benefit of all.

Additionally, it offers a fresh perspective on ongoing intergenerational dynamics: tensions between generations, challenges in mutual understanding, quality of life and prospects compared to previous and future generations, housing, birth rates, and more. The report also analyzes how each major risk is perceived depending on the age of the respondents.

To discover and explore these insights interactively, we invite you to consult the Risk Radar, an online tool that allows you to visualize the 20 risks, compare perceptions between experts and the general public, and track the evolution of rankings over time and across regions or generations.

In 2026, the Future Risks Report highlighted a historic shift: for the first time, risks related to artificial intelligence and big data top the experts’ rankings, surpassing climate change.

Among the general public, AI has seen a significant rise (from 7th to 2nd place), but climate change remains the number one risk across all generations. Moreover, the context of “polycrises” is confirmed: 95% of experts and 94% of the public believe that the number of crises has increased in recent years, and that these risks are becoming increasingly interconnected - spanning climate, geopolitics, energy, cyber threats, and social fragmentation.

Two new features mark this edition:

1. A transversal theme: “Intergenerational Dynamics”

For the first time, the Future Risks Report places intergenerational dynamics at the heart of its analysis. It explores how different generations perceive risks, experience their effects, and can also support each other, building resilience.

 Key findings include:

• 59% of the public report having experienced tensions related to age differences.
• 71% believe that raising children is more challenging today than for previous generations.
• 46% think that younger generations will have a lower quality of life than their own.
• Sharing knowledge and skills is cited as the main benefit of intergenerational collaboration (47%). Younger people emphasize innovation and new ideas, while older generations focus more on practical support (childcare, help for the elderly, housing).

2. A focus on prevention for the general public

The Future Risks Report dedicates a new chapter to prevention. It analyses what individuals are willing to do to reduce risks, the barriers to action, and perceptions of the roles of different actors (public authorities, the private sector, insurers).

• Indeed, 85% of both experts and the public believe that the risks they are most concerned about can be at least partially prevented through preventive actions.
• For 68% of the public, insurance has a key role to play in addressing emerging risks.

Regarding climate, the 2026 edition confirms that:

• Climate change remains the top risk for the public across all generations, and the second for experts.
• 63% of experts and 76% of the public feel vulnerable to climate change in their daily lives.
• Only 13% of experts and 30% of the public consider public authorities well-prepared, placing climate among the most critical risks in terms of preparedness.

The report also highlights:

• Cyber risks remain major, with a shift toward more systemic threats.
• Energy risks are rising in the rankings amid geopolitical tensions, increasing demand (notably linked to AI), and the energy transition.
• Financial stability risks are increasing in both rankings.
• A new risk has been introduced: social fragmentation, which enters the top 10 for experts