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Politics

Global Cooperation Shows Resilience In Face of Geopolitical Headwinds

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  • The Global Cooperation Barometer 2026 reveals strong pressures on multilateral institutions are causing global cooperation to evolve rather than retreat.
  • While multilateral forms of cooperation declined, smaller and more agile coalitions of countries –and, at times, companies – were instrumental in maintaining overall cooperation levels.
  • Climate and technology saw strong increases in cooperation even in the face of headwinds, health and trade stayed broadly flat and there was a sharp drop of cooperation in peace and security.
  • Learn more about the Barometer and read the accompanying report here. Follow the Annual Meeting 2026 here and on social media using #WEF26.

Geneva, Switzerland, January 2026 – Global cooperation is proving resilient even as multilateralism continues to face strong headwinds, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cooperation Barometer 2026. However, cooperation is below where it needs to be to address critical economic, security and environmental challenges. Within a more complex and uncertain geopolitical context, open and constructive dialogue is a critical factor in identifying potential collaborative pathways that advance shared interests.



In its third year, the Global Cooperation Barometer 2026, developed in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, uses 41 metrics to assess the level of cooperation worldwide across five pillars: trade and capital; innovation and technology; climate and natural capital; health and wellness; and peace and security.

The 2026 Barometer indicates that the overall level of cooperation has largely been unchanged in recent years but the composition of cooperation appears to be evolving. Innovative, smaller collaborative arrangements are emerging, often within and between regions, as cooperation through multilateral avenues has weakened. Progress on global priorities has shown the greatest momentum when it aligns with national interests – with climate and nature and innovation and technology seeing relatively strong increases in cooperation. Other pillars, including health and wellness and trade and capital, have stayed flat. The peace and security pillar experienced the largest drop.

“Amid one of the most volatile and uncertain periods in decades, cooperation has shown resilience,” said Børge Brende, President and CEO, World Economic Forum. “While cooperation today may look different than it did yesterday, collaborative approaches are essential to grow economies wisely, accelerate innovation responsibly and prepare for the challenges of a more uncertain era. Flexible, nimble and purpose-driven approaches are most likely to withstand the current turbulence and deliver results.”

“Leaders are reimagining collaboration across borders,” said Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company. “Cooperation may look different today, and involve different partners, but importantly, it continues to deliver on some critical shared priorities. Collaborative progress can, and does, continue to happen even amid global divisions.”

Global cooperation is reinventing itself

The changing dynamics of cooperation are visible in each of the five pillars of the Barometer.

  • Trade and capital cooperation flattened. Cooperation remained above 2019 values, but its makeup is shifting. Goods volumes grew, albeit slower than the global economy, and flows are shifting to more aligned partners. Services and select capital flows show momentum, particularly among aligned economies, especially where they can contribute to bolstering domestic capabilities. While the global multilateral trade system faces rising barriers, smaller coalitions of countries are cooperating through initiatives such as the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership.
  • Innovation and technology cooperation rose to unlock new capabilities even amid tighter controls. IT services and talent flows are up, and international bandwidth is now four times larger than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions on flows of critical resources, technologies and knowledge expanded – especially, but not only, between the United States and China. However, new cooperation formats are rising, with instances of cooperation on AI, 5G infrastructure and other cutting-edge technologies among aligned countries.
  • Climate and natural capital cooperation grew, but is still short of global goals. Increased financing and global supply chains stimulated deployment of clean technologies, which reached record levels in mid-2025. While China accounted for two-thirds of additions of solar, wind and electric vehicles, other developing economies stepped up. As multilateral negotiations become more challenging, groups of nations – for example, the European Union and ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) – are combining decarbonization with energy security goals.
  • Health and wellness cooperation held steady, with outcomes resilient for now, but aid is under severe pressure. Topline cooperation in this pillar did not fall, in part because health outcomes continued to improve after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although health outcomes have stayed resilient, the stability masks growing fragility. Pressures on multilateral organizations have eroded support flows and development assistance for health contracted sharply – with further tightening in 2025 – affecting low- and middle-income countries most acutely.
  • Peace and security cooperation continued to decrease, as every tracked metric fell below pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Conflicts escalated, military spending rose and global multilateral resolution mechanisms struggled to de-escalate crises. By the end of 2024, the number of forcibly displaced people reached a record 123 million globally. However, growing pressures are creating an impetus for increased cooperation, including through regional peacekeeping mechanisms.

The Global Cooperation Barometer shows countries are rewriting the way they engage in cooperation. Creating new cooperative formats will require new structures, from trade agreements to standards alliances, and new types of partnerships, including public-private and private-private, to manage them effectively. The report concludes by highlighting the need for leaders to focus on rebuilding an effective dialogue with partners as the foundation for identifying and advancing shared interests.
 
About the Global Cooperation Barometer
The Global Cooperation Barometer – first launched in 2024 – evaluates global collaboration across five interconnected dimensions: trade and capital; innovation and technology; climate and natural capital; health and wellness; and peace and security. The Barometer is built on 41 indicators, categorized as cooperative action metrics (evidence of tangible cooperation, such as trade volumes, capital flows, or intellectual property exchanges) and outcome metrics (broader measures of progress such as reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or improvements in life expectancy). Spanning 2012-2025 and indexed to 2020 to reflect pandemic-era shifts, the Barometer normalizes data for comparability (e.g., financial metrics relative to global GDP and migration metrics to population levels). Given rapid developments across all the areas the barometer covers, this year’s report complements the 2024 findings with more recent 2025 data where available, through partial-year data or projections. In addition, two surveys were conducted: one with around 800 executives and another with about 170 experts who are current or former members of the World Economic Forum’s Network of Global Future Councils.

About the Annual Meeting 2026
The World Economic Forum’s 56th Annual Meeting, taking place on 19-23 January 2026 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, will convene leaders from business, government, international organizations, civil society and academia under the theme A Spirit of Dialogue. Click here to learn more.

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

en Francais

Forum Économique Mondial, [email protected]
La coopération mondiale fait preuve de résilience face aux vents contraires
géopolitiques

  • Le Baromètre de la coopération mondiale 2026 indique qu’en dépit de fortes pressions sur les
    institutions multilatérales, la coopération mondiale ne recule pas, mais progresse.
  • Alors que les formes multilatérales de coopération ont reculé, des coalitions plus petites et plus
    agiles de pays, et même parfois d’entreprises, ont contribué à maintenir les niveaux de
    coopération globaux.
  • On a pu observer une forte augmentation de la coopération en matière de climat et de
    technologie, malgré les vents contraires, une relative stabilité en matière de santé et du
    commerce, et une forte baisse en matière de paix et de sécurité.
  • Pour en savoir plus sur le Baromètre et consulter le rapport associé, cliquez ici. Suivez
    l’Assemblée annuelle 2026 ici et sur les réseaux sociaux grâce au hashtag #WEF26.
  • Genève, Suisse, janvier 2026 – Selon le Baromètre de la coopération mondiale 2026 du Forum
    Économique Mondial, la coopération mondiale fait preuve de résistance alors même que le
    multilatéralisme continue d’être confronté à de forts vents contraires. Toutefois, la coopération n’est
    pas à la hauteur de ce qu’elle devrait être pour relever les défis économiques, sécuritaires et
    environnementaux décisifs. Dans un contexte géopolitique plus complexe et incertain, un dialogue
    ouvert et constructif est essentiel pour identifier les voies de collaboration potentielles faisant
    progresser les intérêts communs.
    Pour la troisième année, le Baromètre de la coopération mondiale 2026, élaboré en collaboration
    avec McKinsey & Company, se base sur 41 paramètres pour évaluer le niveau de coopération à
    l’échelle mondiale, selon cinq dimensions : le commerce et les capitaux, l’innovation et la technologie,
    le climat et le capital naturel, la santé et le bien-être, ainsi que la paix et la sécurité.
    Le Baromètre 2026 indique un niveau global de coopération globalement inchangé sur les dernières
    années, avec toutefois une évolution dans la composition de cette coopération. Des accords de
    collaboration innovants, souvent de moindre ampleur, émergent au sein d’une même région ou entre
    régions, dans un contexte de recul de la coopération multilatérale. Les avancées concernant les
    priorités mondiales ont été les plus marquées lorsqu’elles s’alignaient sur les intérêts nationaux, avec
    notamment une progression notable de la coopération dans les domaines du climat et de la nature,
    ainsi que de l’innovation et de la technologie. Les autres dimensions, y compris la santé et le bien
    être ainsi que le commerce et les capitaux, sont restées stables. La dimension paix et sécurité a
    connu la plus forte baisse.
    « Au sein de l’une des périodes les plus instables et incertaines de ces dernières décennies, la
    coopération a fait preuve de résilience, » déclare Børge Brende, Président-Directeur général du
    Forum Économique Mondial. « Bien que la coopération actuelle soit différente de ce qu’elle était hier,
    les approches collaboratives sont essentielles pour faire croître les économies à bon escient,
    accélérer l’innovation de manière responsable et se préparer aux défis d’une ère plus incertaine. Les
    approches flexibles, souples et axées sur les objectifs sont les plus susceptibles de résister aux
    turbulences actuelles et de produire des résultats. »
    « Les dirigeants redéfinissent la collaboration transfrontalière », déclare Bob Sternfels, Global
    Managing Partner chez McKinsey & Company. « Si la coopération se présente aujourd’hui sous un
    nouveau jour, impliquant des partenaires différents, il est important de noter qu’elle continue de
    1
    répondre à certaines priorités communes essentielles. Le progrès collaboratif peut se poursuivre, et
    se poursuit, même au milieu des divisions mondiales. »
    La coopération mondiale se réinvente
    La dynamique changeante de la coopération est visible dans chacune des cinq dimensions du
    Baromètre.
  • La coopération en matière de commerce et de capitaux s’est stabilisée. La coopération est
    restée supérieure aux valeurs de 2019, mais on observe une évolution de sa composition. Les
    volumes de marchandises ont augmenté, quoique plus lentement que l’économie mondiale, et
    les flux commerciaux se redéploient vers des partenaires plus étroitement alignés. On observe
    un dynamisme des services et de certains flux de capitaux, en particulier au sein des économies
    alignées, surtout lorsqu’ils peuvent contribuer à renforcer les capacités nationales. Alors que le
    système de commerce multilatéral mondial est confronté à des obstacles croissants, des
    coalitions de pays à moindre échelle coopèrent dans le cadre d’initiatives telles que le
    Partenariat pour l’avenir de l’investissement et du commerce (Future of Investment and Trade –
    FIT).
  • La coopération en matière d’innovation et de technologie a augmenté, libérant de nouvelles
    capacités malgré des contrôles plus stricts. Les services informatiques et les flux de talents sont
    en hausse, et la bande passante internationale est aujourd’hui quatre fois plus importante
    qu’avant la pandémie de COVID 19. Les restrictions pesant sur les flux de ressources, de
    technologies et de connaissances essentielles se sont multipliées, notamment entre les États
    Unis et la Chine. Toutefois, de nouveaux formats de coopération voient le jour, avec des
    exemples de coopération en matière d’IA, d’infrastructure 5G et d’autres technologies de pointe
    entre les pays alignés.
  • La coopération en matière de climat et de capital naturel s’est développée, mais reste en
    deçà des objectifs mondiaux. L’augmentation des financements et des chaînes
    d’approvisionnement mondiales a stimulé le déploiement des technologies propres, avec des
    niveaux record mi-2025. Si la Chine a été à l’origine de deux tiers des nouveaux véhicules
    2
    solaires, éoliens et électriques, d’autres économies en développement ont accéléré leurs efforts.
    Les négociations multilatérales devenant plus difficiles, des groupes de nations, dont, par
    exemple, l’Union européenne et l’ANASE (Association des nations de l’Asie du Sud-Est),
    combinent la décarbonisation avec des objectifs de sécurité énergétique.
  • La coopération en matière de santé et de bien-être est restée stable, avec des résultats qui
    demeurent pour l’instant résilients, mais l’aide est soumise à de fortes pressions. La coopération
    en première ligne au sein de cette dimension n’a pas diminué, en partie grâce à l’amélioration
    des résultats en matière de santé après la fin de la pandémie de COVID 19. La stabilité des
    résultats en matière de santé masque une fragilité croissante. Les pressions exercées sur les
    organisations multilatérales ont érodé les flux de soutien, et l’aide au développement de la santé
    s’est fortement contractée, avec un nouveau resserrement en 2025, affectant plus
    particulièrement les pays à faible revenu et à revenu intermédiaire.
  • La coopération en matière de paix et de sécurité a continué à diminuer, tous les indicateurs
    suivis étant en-deçà des niveaux atteints avant la pandémie de COVID 19. Les conflits se sont
    intensifiés, les dépenses militaires ont augmenté et les mécanismes multilatéraux de résolution
    des conflits ont eu du mal à désamorcer les crises. Fin 2024, le nombre de personnes déplacées
    de force a atteint le chiffre record de 123 millions. Toutefois, des pressions croissantes incitent à
    une coopération accrue, y compris par le biais de mécanismes régionaux de maintien de la paix.
    Le Baromètre de la coopération mondiale montre une nouvelle manière pour les pays de s’engager
    dans la coopération. De nouveaux formats de coopération appelleront des structures renouvelées,
    des accords commerciaux aux alliances de normalisation, et des partenariats innovants (notamment
    public-privé et privé-privé) pour en assurer une gestion efficace. Le rapport conclut en soulignant la
    nécessité pour les dirigeants de se concentrer sur le rétablissement d’un dialogue efficace avec les
    partenaires, fondement de l’identification et de la promotion d’intérêts communs.
    À propos du Baromètre de la coopération mondiale
    Lancé pour la première fois en 2024, le Baromètre de la coopération mondiale évalue la collaboration
    mondiale à travers cinq dimensions interconnectées : le commerce et les capitaux, l’innovation et la
    technologie, le climat et le capital naturel, la santé et le bien-être, ainsi que la paix et la sécurité. Le
    Baromètre s’appuie sur 41 indicateurs, classés en mesures d’action coopérative (preuves d’une
    coopération tangible, telles que les volumes d’échanges commerciaux, les flux de capitaux ou les
    échanges de propriété intellectuelle) et en mesures de résultats (mesures plus larges des progrès
    réalisés, telles que la réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre ou l’amélioration de l’espérance
    de vie). Couvrant la période 2012-2024 et indexé à 2020 pour refléter les changements de l’ère
    pandémique, le Baromètre normalise les données pour les rendre comparables (par exemple, les
    mesures financières par rapport au PIB mondial et les mesures migratoires par rapport aux niveaux
    de population). En outre, deux enquêtes ont été menées : l’une auprès d’environ 800 cadres et l’autre
    auprès d’environ 170 experts, membres actuels ou passés du réseau des conseils pour l’avenir du
    monde du Forum Économique Mondial.
    À propos de la réunion annuelle 2026
    La 56e réunion annuelle du Forum Économique Mondial, qui se tiendra du 19 au 23 janvier 2026 à
    Davos-Klosters, en Suisse, réunira des dirigeants d’entreprises, de gouvernements, d’organisations
    internationales, de la société civile et du monde universitaire autour du thème Un esprit de dialogue.
    Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus.

Earth

Guinea Pigs Are Not Disposable Pets

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The decidedly disturbing headlines around small pets like guinea pigs and rabbits underscore an escalating ‘disposable pet’ mentality, with certain factors exacerbating the problem. Case in point, this guinea pig rescue in Nova Scotia, Canada.


With the holidays looming, shelters are bracing for yet another spike in guinea pig surrenders in particular. Industry sources speculate there may be tens of millions of guinea pigs worldwide, yet shelter data point to troubling trends with some shelters seeing numbers more than triple since the pandemic. One facility reportedly took in over 650 guinea pigs in a single year! Sadly, this species is all too often treated as disposable.

Surveys show that roughly 7 million U.S. households own “small animals” like guinea pigs and roughly another 1 million Canadian households. The holiday season, when guinea pigs are frequently purchased as gifts, intensifies problematic ownership as many families underestimate the care required … only to relinquish these pets weeks or months later.

Clementine Schouteden, CEO of Kavee—the world’s leading guinea pig habitat brand, points out the following key issues:

  • Families should use a checklist to decide if they are truly ready for a small pet like a guinea pig or rabbit
  • Note the hidden costs and long-term commitments families often overlook before bringing home a guinea pig or rabbit
  • There are emotional and developmental benefits guinea pigs and rabbits can bring to children when cared for responsibly
  • Rising surrenders are straining shelters already overwhelmed with cats and dogs
  • Reach out to shelters and advocacy groups for recommendations on reducing post-holiday pet abandonment
  • Be aware that guinea pigs require larger, safer enclosures than most pet stores provide
  • Better guinea pig housing, enrichment, and education can prevent health issues and neglect
  • Common health problems are often tied to poor diets or improper housing—now how to spot them early
  • Consider simple changes that can make homes safer and more enriching for guinea pigs and rabbits
  • Be a proud part of the growing movement to elevate small pet care standards to the same level as cats and dogs

Market Trends

The small pet category may be niche, but the market data tells a compelling story.

The U.S. pet industry overall is projected to hit $157 billion usd/ $218.6 billion cad in 2025, up from $151.9 billion usd/ $211.5 billion cad in 2024, with $33.3 billion usd/ $46.4 billion cad of that dedicated to supplies, habitats, bedding, and related essentials (APPA). Within that, ~7.7 million North American households own small animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters (Forbes), representing a sizable and under-served customer base. Globally, the rodent pet accessories market is valued at $1.2 billion usd/ $1.7 billion cad in 2024 and forecasted to double to $2.5 billion usd/ $5.2 billion cad by 2033 (Verified Market Reports), while the guinea pig cage market alone is worth $455 million usd/ $633.6 million cad today and on track to reach $715 million usd/ $995.7 million cad by 2033 (Growth Market Reports). Complementary comfort products like cuddle cups are also on the rise, already a $134.7 million usd/ $187.6 million cad global market growing at a 7.4% CAGR.

Add to this the growing concerns in shelters and rescues about guinea pig welfare (HumanePro), and the momentum is clear: consumers, advocates, and regulators alike are demanding safer, higher-quality, and more enriching products. The fact that species-specific U.S. data for guinea pig habitats and accessories is still sparse only underscores the opportunity for Kavee to lead with content, education, and product innovation—filling a gap that few others have recognized, let alone acted on. For the Silo, Merilee Kern.



Schouteden’s journey is a masterclass in spotting underserved markets and scaling with vision. Below, she shares how a single decision transformed her entrepreneurship path, how her eCommerce brand is reshaping an overlooked corner of the pet industry and what’s next for small pet care innovation.

MK: Clementine, let’s start at the beginning. What inspired you to create Kavee?

CS: It really began with my own guinea pigs. In March 2015, I adopted Bagpipe, a long-haired Peruvian and Livingstone, a short-haired Agouti. Later, Efendi joined the family. I couldn’t bring myself to put them in a tiny pet shop cage as it just didn’t feel right. Instead, I had a friend build a large wooden cage and I set up play areas in my flat so they could explore. Watching them thrive in a spacious environment showed me how much better life could be for small pets.

MK: What sets Kavee products apart from traditional cages?

CS: We’ve always designed for the animals first. Our C&C cages are modular, easy to clean and expandable. We encourage pet parents to go larger than outdated minimums. For example, while many guidelines say a 2×3 cage is fine for two guinea pigs, at Kavee we recommend 2×4 for sows and 2×5 for boars, since they need more room to coexist peacefully. Our fleece liners, accessories and enrichment toys also bring comfort, safety and playfulness into their habitats.

MK: Kavee has grown from a startup to an international brand. What has that journey looked like?

CS: In the early days, it was just me packaging orders on weekends while still working full-time as a consultant. Within six months, demand grew and I partnered with an “impact employment” group to provide jobs for people with disabilities. That freed me to scale the business. By 2018, I left consulting to run Kavee full-time. Since then, we’ve expanded into four online stores, grown a passionate team and provided spacious homes for over 50,000 guinea pigs.

MK: Beyond products, you’ve built a strong educational and advocacy component. Why is that important?

CS: Kavee is not just about selling supplies; it’s about changing perceptions of small pets. Too often they’re seen as “starter pets” for kids, but they’re intelligent and sensitive. Through blogs, social media and the Kavee Rescue initiative, we provide guidance on diet, grooming, habitat design and more. Our team even answers customer questions about gardening for guinea pigs! That level of community engagement makes a real difference.

MK: What role does sustainability and ethical business play in Kavee’s mission?

CS: It’s at the core of what we do. Our products are designed to last, reducing waste. We carefully source safe, durable materials and we support inclusive hiring practices. Since 2023, our Kavee Rescue partnership has been another way to give back. Ultimately, if I wouldn’t use it with my own pets, it doesn’t go to market.

MK: Looking ahead, where do you see Kavee and small pet care evolving?

CS: The future lies in rethinking standards. Minimum cage guidelines are outdated and pets deserve larger, more enriching spaces. I also see small pets becoming mainstream companions for professionals and singles, not just families. At Kavee, we’ll continue innovating, expanding product ranges and advocating for animal welfare globally.

MK: What were the biggest challenges you faced as a female founder in the pet care industry?

CS: Breaking into a space that historically overlooked small pets was challenging enough, but as a female founder, I also had to fight to be taken seriously. Early on, suppliers and partners often assumed this was just a “side project.” Proving the demand, scaling internationally and building a team showed that Kavee was not just a niche brand but a movement.

MK: Was there a moment when you realized Kavee had truly “made it”?

CS: Yes. When I saw our first international orders come in, especially from the U.S., it hit me that we were filling a huge gap worldwide. Another milestone was when customers started sending photos of their piggies “popcorning” in our cages. Knowing our products were directly improving lives was the moment I felt Kavee had arrived.

MK: How do you balance innovation with customer feedback?

CS: We listen closely to our community. Many of our product upgrades, such as folding coroplast bases or fleece liners with new absorbent layers, came directly from customer suggestions. I believe true innovation happens when you combine design expertise with real-world feedback from the pawrents using the products daily.

MK: What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs who want to turn a passion into a business?

CS: Start small, test your idea and don’t be afraid of imperfect beginnings. Kavee began with one cage model and a very simple website. What made the difference was consistency, passion and being deeply connected to my “why,” which is improving small pet welfare. If you keep that clarity, growth will follow.

MK: As a female founder, what role do you think women play in shaping the future of entrepreneurship?

CS: Women bring unique perspectives to business, often blending empathy with innovation. In my case, it was about seeing the overlooked needs of small pets that weren’t being met and creating meaningful solutions. I believe more women in leadership will mean more industries reimagined with compassion, creativity and long-term impact at the core.

MK: How do you use your platform to inspire or empower other women in business?

CS: I make it a point to be visible and open about the realities of building a company from scratch. Sharing the challenges as well as the successes helps other women see that it is possible to turn a passion into a thriving business. I also mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, because representation and encouragement can be the push someone needs to take that first step.

MK: Looking back, what’s the most rewarding part of building Kavee?CS: Without a doubt, it is knowing we have improved the lives of thousands of animals. Every time I hear a story about a guinea pig who went from lethargic in a tiny cage to playful and thriving in a Kavee habitat, it reminds me why this journey matters. That impact is priceless.

From rescuing mice and birds as a child in rural France to transforming the global small pet industry, Clementine has proven that passion paired with innovation can create lasting change. Through Kavee, she’s redefined what it means to care for guinea pigs and rabbits. In the process she’s raising standards, fostering community and inspiring pawrents to think bigger.

In Clementine’s words: “Quite simply, if your piggies aren’t running around in their cage, something isn’t right.”

Thanks to her efforts, thousands of piggies—and the humans who love them—are finally getting it right.

Politics

World Economic Forum- Global Cooperation At Crossroads

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The Global Cooperation Barometer indicates that international cooperation has “flatlined”, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions and instability, but positive momentum in climate finance, health and innovation offers hope.
In an era of heightened volatility, leaders will need to embrace “disordered” cooperation and dynamic, solutions-driven decision-making to deliver tangible results and build trust. AI and other emerging technologies are reshaping the global landscape and driving upheaval. Concerted cooperation will be critical to harness benefits and minimize risks.

Geneva, Switzerland, January 2025 – The World Economic Forum’s Global Cooperation Barometer offers a critical assessment of the state of global cooperation, showing a world grappling with heightened competition and conflict, while also identifying various areas where leaders can drive progress through innovative collaboration. Released amid geopolitical, technological and sociopolitical upheaval, the Forum’s flagship annual report underscores the urgency of addressing shared challenges and offers leaders guidance on what cooperation can look like in a shifting world.
 
The Global Cooperation Barometer 2025, developed in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, uses 41 indicators to measure the current state of global cooperation. The aim is to offer leaders a tool to better understand the contours of cooperation broadly and along five pillars: trade and capital flows, innovation and technology, climate and natural capital, health and wellness, and peace and security. Now in its second edition, the Barometer draws on new data to provide an updated picture of the global cooperation landscape, with a particular focus on the impact of the new technological age.
 
“The Barometer is being released at a moment of great global instability and at a time when many new governments are developing agendas for the year, and their terms, ahead,” said Børge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. “What the Barometer shows is that cooperation is not only essential to address crucial economic, environmental and technological challenges, it is possible within today’s more turbulent context.”
 
“This second edition of the Global Cooperation Barometer focuses on where cooperation stands today and what it can look like in the new technological age,” said Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company. “Advancing global innovation, health, prosperity and resilience cannot be done alone. Leaders will need new mechanisms for working together on key priorities, even as they disagree on others, and the past several years have shown this balance is possible.”

The latest edition of the Barometer highlights that global cooperation is at a critical juncture. The report’s analysis reveals that after trending positively for a decade and surpassing pre-pandemic levels, overall cooperation has stagnated.

This has been driven by a sharp decline of the peace and security pillar of the Barometer over the past seven years, caused by mounting geopolitical tensions and competition which have significantly eroded global collective security. Levels of conflict and attendant humanitarian crises have increased in the past year to record levels, driven by crises including, but not limited to, the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan.

As the largely stable cooperative order that defined the post-Cold War period is giving way to a more fragmented landscape, solutions to pressing challenges – from climate action to technological governance – require collaboration. And despite the global security crises, the new findings indicate that collaboration has continued in various areas including vaccine distribution, scientific research, renewable energy development, and more – offering models for future cooperation.
Notably, peace and security have declined sharply in recent years, but other pillars of the Barometer have remained resilient and reveal emerging opportunities for international cooperation,

Innovation and technology. While geopolitical competition is rising in regard to certain frontier technologies such as semiconductors, overall global cooperation on technology and innovation advanced in 2023, in part due to digitization of the global economy. This helped drive the adoption of new technologies, a strong ramp-up in the supply of critical minerals – and a related drop in price of lithium batteries – and a rebound in student mobility. However, rapid disruption from emerging technologies such as AI is reshaping the global landscape, raising the possibility of a new frontline of geostrategic competition or even an “AI arms race”. Cooperative leadership and inclusive strategies will be key to harness its vast potential while tackling risks.

Climate and natural capital: Cooperation on climate goals improved over the past year, with increased finance flows and higher trade in low-carbon technologies such as solar, wind and electric vehicles. Yet, urgent action is required to meet net-zero targets as global emissions continue to rise. Greater global cooperation will be essential to scale up technologies and secure the financing needed to meet climate goals by 2030.

Health and wellness: Some health outcomes, including life expectancy, continued to improve post-pandemic, but overall progress is slowing compared to pre-2020. While cross-border assistance and pharmaceutical R&D have declined, and cooperation on trade in health goods and international regulations stalled, various health metrics including child and maternal mortality remain strong. Given rising health risks and ageing populations, leaders should invest in global cooperation to bolster public health and sustainable health systems.

Trade and capital flows: Metrics related to the flow of goods and services, trade, capital and people had mixed outcomes in 2023. Goods trade declined by 5%, driven largely by slower growth in China and other developing economies, while global fragmentation continued to reduce trade between Western and Eastern-aligned blocs. Despite this, global flows of services, capital and people showed resilience. Foreign direct investment surged, particularly in strategic sectors like semiconductors and green energy, while labour migration and remittances rebounded strongly, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.Looking ahead, leaders will need to find ways to work together, even as competition increases, as tangible results will be crucial to maintain public trust and support. The report concludes by underscoring the urgent need for adaptive, solutions-driven leadership to navigate a turbulent global landscape. By pivoting towards cooperative solutions, leaders can rebuild trust, drive meaningful change and unlock new opportunities for shared progress and resilience in the complex years ahead.
 
About the Global Cooperation Barometer Methodology
 
The Global Cooperation Barometer – first launched in 2024 – evaluates global collaboration across five interconnected dimensions: trade and capital, innovation and technology, climate and natural capital, health and wellness, and peace and security. The Barometer is built on 41 indicators, categorized as cooperative action metrics (evidence of tangible cooperation, such as trade volumes, capital flows, or intellectual property exchanges) and outcome metrics (broader measures of progress like reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or improvements in life expectancy). Spanning 2012–2023 and indexed to 2020 to reflect pandemic-era shifts, the Barometer normalizes data for comparability (e.g., financial metrics relative to global GDP and migration metrics to population levels) and weights it equally within and across pillars.
 
About the Annual Meeting 2025
 
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, taking place in Davos-Klosters from 20 to 24 January, convenes global leaders under the theme, Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. The meeting will foster new partnerships and insights to shape a more sustainable, inclusive future in an era of rapidly advancing technology, focusing on five key areas: Reimagining Growth, Industries in the Intelligent Age, Investing in People, Safeguarding the Planet, and Rebuilding Trust. Click here to learn more.
Finance

How Sixty Percent Of Consumers Have Changed Shopping Behaviors Due To Covid

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Global Consumer Spending to Plunge by 8.6% to $44.3trn by end of 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has changed almost every aspect of people’s daily lives, and consumer spending is no exception. The uncertainty of the COVID-19 crisis caused considerable changes in consumer habits, forcing them to cut down their budgets and prioritize spending.

According to data presented by StockApps.com, the coronavirus outbreak is expected to cut global consumer spending to $44.3trn in 2020, an 8.6% plunge year-over-year.

$4.2trn Drop in Spending Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Falling consumer spending has significant effects on overall Gross domestic product (GDP) growth, considering it accounts for almost 70% of GDP.

Before the COVID-19 crisis, global consumer spending has witnessed steady growth for five years in a row, revealed Statista, IMF, United Nations, World Bank, and Eurostat data. In 2015, it amounted to over $41.5trn. Over the next twelve months, this figure rose to $42.5trn and continued growing. Statistics show that in 2019, consumers worldwide spent a total of $48.5trn, the highest amount in a decade.

However, the coronavirus crisis triggered a sharp fall in 2020, with global consumer spending expected to plunge by $4.2trn year-over-year. Nevertheless, statistics show the following years are set to witness a recovery, with consumer spending growing by 20% to $53.5bn in 2022.

Statista data also revealed that Switzerland represents the leading country globally, with over $40,000 in consumer spending per capita in 2020. Luxembourg ranked second with around $5,000 less than that. Iceland, Denmark, and Norway follow, with $34,300, $25,800, and $25,600, respectively.

60% of Consumers Changed their Shopping Behavior

The Mc Kinsey & Company survey showed consumers became increasingly cautious with their spending in 2020. Even after countries lifted lock-downs, many consumers still see their incomes fall, forcing them to reduce budgets and change shopping habits.

Statistics show that increased time spent indoors led to significant growth in consumer spending on groceries, household, and home entertainment. Brazil, South Africa, and India lead in this category, with up to 30% consumer spending growth. Major consumer markets like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and China witnessed around 15% grocery shopping growth in the first half of the year.

However, with consumers being mindful of their spending and turning to less expensive products, 2020 has witnessed a plunge in clothes and accessories, outside entertainment, services, travel, and transportation spending. Respondents in all countries said they cut down spending in these categories between 20% and 50%.

The McKinsey survey also revealed the COVID-19 outbreak triggered a significant change in the shopping mindset. More than 60% of consumers globally have tried a different brand or shopped at another retailer during the crisis, mostly for convenience, value, and quality.

In China and the United States, over 75% of consumers reported trying a new shopping method, and 60% plan to stick with it post-crisis. The United Kingdom and Germany follow with 71% and 54% of consumers who practiced new shopping behavior. In Japan, where lockdowns weren’t imposed, only 33% of consumers changed their shopping mindset. For the Silo by Jastra Kranjec.

Featured image- Wicker basket by George’s Baskets.