Political instability has overtaken extreme weather as the biggest risk concern for businesses, according to a new survey from global security and healthcare risk management business, Healix.

Shifting alliances and growing divisions within the geopolitical landscape have contributed to 96% of those responding to the survey revealing their belief that the world is a more dangerous place.

Healix’s Risk Radar Report 2025 found that firms identified political instability (35%), pandemic and disease (34%), and governance, regulations and sanctions (32%) as the top three biggest concerns. Last year’s report found that 43% saw extreme weather as the likely biggest risk to operations by 2030.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict ranks as the top risk factor impacting operations in 2025, closely followed by the result of US election as businesses face issues related to supply chain disruption, increased protectionism and volatile commodity prices. The survey also reveals a lack of confidence among businesses when it comes to risk preparedness, with 58% of respondents giving their organisations a rating of either ‘not very resilient’ or only ‘somewhat resilient’. More than half of respondents (56%) also admitted to only limited confidence in their ability to endure a major disruption.

General Sir Richard Shirreff, chair of the Healix risk and security advisory board, said: “Trust amongst the global community is eroding and as ever with geopolitical issues, no quick fix is apparent. The international order is shifting beneath our feet, creating a volatile environment that will test the resilience of even the most experienced business leaders.

“As the global order continues to fragment, businesses face a future where volatility and unpredictability are the new normal, forcing them to rethink their risk management strategies and how to build resilience against the unexpected.”

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