Protest activity globally has increased over the last two years, according to our civil unrest data, while commercial property is being targeted more often during protests, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages and business interruption. In parallel, rising political polarisation, mounting pressure on public finances and social media will combine to amplify popular discontent. The key message: governments, business and insurers should expect frequent disruptive protests and riots in 2026.
Our Civil Unrest Index shows that seven of the world’s biggest economies are among the countries facing the most disruption over the next 12 months. Europe is home to half of the 10 highest-risk countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. Ranked 3rd highest risk globally and having recorded the sharpest increase in protest size over the last 12 months, the US is another potential flashpoint. Brazil, Mexico, India and Myanmar make up the remaining countries in the top 10, underscoring the broad set of countries impacted by civil unrest.
