2026 Global Risk Map

The 2026 Global Risk Map covers a comprehensive set of threats that shape the global security landscape, including crime, health risks, natural disasters, infrastructure vulnerabilities, political instability, civil unrest, and terrorism. Each country is evaluated across these indicators to show where risks are escalating or receding, helping organizations and travelers understand exposures and prepare for the year ahead.

The Global Guardian Terror Index (GGTI) is a companion to the Risk Map that measures the likelihood and trajectory of terrorism by country and region. Rated from Low to Extreme, the GGTI provides leaders with a snapshot of terrorism risks that may impact operations, travel, and global security planning in 2026.

Terrorism remains a significant threat in 2026 because it has become more decentralized, adaptive, and widespread. Nearly 25 years after 9/11, terrorist activity is expanding both geographically and in frequency. In 2025, 73 countries recorded terrorist incidents—the highest number since 2018—with attacks on civilian targets reaching new post-2018 levels. New tactics such as drone strikes, coupled with online radicalization, are making it easier for individuals and small groups to carry out deadly operations. At the same time, global intelligence services are increasingly focused on great-power competition, creating openings for extremists to exploit. This evolving landscape underscores why terrorism remains a dynamic risk for organizations, travelers, and governments worldwide.

Businesses can use the 2026 Global Risk Map and Global Guardian Terror Index (GGTI) to identify vulnerabilities, guide resource allocation, and strengthen resilience. The Risk Map highlights country-specific risks—from crime and civil unrest to natural disasters and terrorism—while the GGTI pinpoints where terrorism is most likely to emerge. Together, they inform travel policies, security procedures, and contingency planning. When combined with tabletop exercises and scenario planning, these tools help organizations move beyond reactive responses to proactively prepare for disruptions, protect assets, and ensure business continuity in a volatile global landscape.

Risk is the product of probability and impact. Just because the probability of an untoward event is low, it doesn’t mean that a high-impact event cannot occur. Natural disasters, opportunistic crime, and terror attacks can happen almost anywhere, any place, at any time. Proper precautions should always be undertaken ahead of travel.