International SOS has unveiled its 2025 Risk Outlook report, shedding light on the escalating challenges to organisational and workforce resilience. The report predicts significant risks for the coming year, with 65% of surveyed senior risk professionals observing an increase in risks over the past year.
Additionally, 69% anticipate that geopolitical tensions will significantly impact their organisations and people in 2025, while 75% identify social and political unrest as a top concern.
Burnout and stress are also expected to affect businesses, with 78% of decision-makers predicting these issues will have a notable impact in the next 12 months.
The findings highlight that organisations remain least prepared for some of the most pressing risks, including conflict, geopolitical tensions, and social unrest, despite operating in a “permacrisis” environment.
Geopolitical Tensions: A Pervasive and Escalating Risk
Geopolitical instability emerges as a critical concern for 2025, with 74% of surveyed decision-makers expecting significant business impacts. These tensions, coupled with transport disruptions (73%) and political unrest (75%), underscore the vulnerability of an interconnected global landscape. Events such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and rising polarisation in the Middle East demonstrate how localised issues can reverberate across industries and economies.
Sally Llewellyn, Global Security Director at International SOS, explained: “The interconnected nature of today’s risks creates an environment where issues escalate quickly and unpredictably. Organisations must adopt intelligence-driven, predictive strategies to navigate these complexities and safeguard their operations and people.”
Mental Health and Burnout: The Hidden Costs of a Fragmented World
The volatile geopolitical climate is amplifying mental health challenges. The report reveals that:
- 78% of respondents foresee stress and burnout significantly impacting their organisations.
- 75% expect repercussions from the cost-of-living crisis.
- 70% highlight concerns about mental health conditions.
Dr Irene Lai, Global Medical Director at International SOS, noted: “Unpredictable global events, coupled with economic pressures, are driving employee stress and burnout. Businesses must prioritise mental health to foster resilience, boost engagement, and improve retention in this rapidly changing world.”
Building Resilience in an Era of Uncertainty
The report identifies three core strategies for resilience:
- Actionable Intelligence: Timely, tailored insights are critical for countering risks and addressing misinformation, which impacted 27% of surveyed organisations.
- Integrated Risk Management: Unified platforms enhance communication and streamline processes, enabling swift responses to risks such as extreme weather events, anticipated to significantly impact 49% of businesses in 2025.
- Optimised Resource Allocation: Consolidating resources to address high-risk areas, including increasing expectations around Duty of Care (cited by 64%), is essential for proactive risk management.
Despite the challenges, organisations that invest in systematic, forward-thinking strategies can not only mitigate risks but also strengthen their operational resilience in an increasingly unpredictable world.
