Launch of the Munich Security Report 2025

• It is now available for download on our website.
• The MSR explores the “multipolarization” of the world – the fact that the international order is both becoming more multipolar and increasingly characterized by polarization between and within many states. The report analyzes the risks involved in this “multipolarization” for peace, prosperity, and joint approaches to shared global threats.
• A new edition of the Munich Security Index offers exclusive survey data on the evolving risk perceptions of respondents in the G7 countries, Brazil, China, India, and South Africa.
• Traditionally, the report serves as a conversation starter for the Munich Security Conference (MSC), taking place from February 14 to 16, 2025.
   

While there are many reasons to question whether the world is indeed already multipolar or will ever become truly multipolar, today’s world is – in more than one sense – shaped by “multipolarization.” On the one hand, power is shifting toward a larger number of actors who have the ability to influence key global issues. On the other hand, the world is experiencing increasing polarization both between and within many states. The Munich Security Report 2025 analyzes the far-reaching consequences of this multipolarization of the international order. For many politicians and citizens around the globe, a more multipolar world holds significant promise. But recent trends suggest that the negative effects of greater multipolarity are prevailing as divides between major powers grow and competition among different order models stands in the way of joint approaches to global crises and threats. The report makes the case for “depolarization,” highlighting the need for substantial reforms of the international order.

With the Munich Security Index, the MSC and Kekst CNC together have built a data set to explore citizens’ risk perceptions in the G7 and “BICS” (BRICS minus Russia) nations. With the first edition of the index published in 2021, the index also enables an evaluation of how risk perceptions have changed over time. Following last year’s drop in global risk perceptions, the Munich Security Index 2025 registers aggregate increases in 20 risk indicators, while ten indicators saw overall decreases, and two remained steady. Respondents from the G7 and “BICS” countries share acute concerns about non-traditional risks but are increasingly polarized vis-à-vis geopolitical threats. Put differently, while people from both the G7 and “BICS” countries worry about cyberattacks, economic crises, and environmental threats, views on the risks posed by China, Iran, and Russia diverge significantly.