Risk perceptions are diverging across borders and across generations. The 2026 Munich Security Index, Kekst CNC’s annual research conducted in partnership with the Munich Security Conference, captures how these fault lines are reshaping the global landscape. As in previous years, its findings will again inform debate at the Munich Security Conference.

Drawing on polling across G7 and BICS economies, this year’s Index highlights several important trends. For businesses, three shifts stand out:

A widening geopolitical gap. G7 publics rank cyberattacks, financial crises and disinformation as their top concerns. In BICS countries, climate change, extreme weather and inequality dominate. Perceptions of major powers continue to shift, with China viewed as a growing risk in G7 countries and the United States increasingly seen as a concern across both blocs.

A generational divide within G7 markets. Younger adults prioritize climate, inequality and economic pressures; older cohorts focus on cyber threats, Russia and information integrity. Organizations must engage stakeholders with more tailored, credible messaging.

Rising trade protectionism. “Trade wars” are now seen as a more serious risk in both G7 and BICS markets, pointing to greater volatility in supply chains, regulation and geopolitics.

For business leaders, the implications are clear: balance global consistency with local nuance, address generational expectations directly, and communicate transparently about resilience and risk mitigation.

The 2026 Index also contributes to this year’s Munich Security Report. The full findings are available here.