Companies worldwide found it harder to do business in 2025 due to declining global cooperation on trade, climate, technology, and security, according to a survey published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Thursday.
Released ahead of the WEF’s annual Davos gathering, the online poll of 799 executives across 81 economies showed that 43% reported business conditions worsened compared to 2024, while only 7% felt conditions improved.
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Nearly four in ten executives cited growing barriers to trade, talent, and cross-border capital flows as factors making business more difficult. The WEF noted that U.S. tariff announcements in 2025, including initial trade restrictions later partially rolled back, contributed to global uncertainty.
The survey also revealed that 42% of executives saw a decline in cooperation on peace and security, and 29% reported worsening collaboration on climate and natural resources, though global investment in renewable energy rose nearly 10% in the first half of 2025, with installed solar and wind capacity jumping 67% to 408 gigawatts.
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A parallel WEF poll of its Global Future Councils members showed even more pessimism, with 85% viewing global cooperation as having declined compared to 2024.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
