International SOS: what risks can we anticipate in 2025?

As 2024 draws to a close, International SOS takes stock of the challenges facing the industry in the year ahead. The report Risk outlook 2025 should help business travellers and travel managers to look forward to the year ahead with a minimum of anxiety. After all, as the authors of the report point out, " some of the greatest risks are those for which respondents feel least prepared, such as conflict, geopolitical tensions and demonstrations ".

On reading theInternational SOS65 % of risk professionals believe that risks have increased over the past year. As for the short-term outlook, what do professionals expect for the year ahead? According to International SOS, 75 % of those polled perceive the political and social unrest as a major risk for 2025. Visit geopolitical tensions (74%) and transport disruptions (73%) are feared in similar proportions.

According to Beatrix Renaut, Regional Security Manager at International SOS " La interconnected nature of risks creates an environment where problems escalate rapidly and unpredictably. The geopolitical tensions trigger disturbances in the supply chains and cyber threats, while misinformation amplifies confusion, eroding trust within organisations and across borders. These complexities require a shift from reactive to predictive strategies, leveraging intelligence-led information and cross-functional collaboration. While the challenges are considerable, businesses that take a systematic approach to understanding and mitigating these multiple risks can not only protect their people and operations, but also build resilience in an era of uncertainty. ".

Mental health challenges

The logical consequence of this anxiety-provoking context is that the mental health of professionals is being severely tested. In 65% of cases, stress and political anxiety have been identified by companies as a major risk for 2025. While we can congratulate ourselves on the fact that the problem has been identified by a majority of employers, the challenges for the coming year are considerable, and the risk is multi-faceted. Indeed, the experts point to a number of fears for 2025: stress and burnout (78 %), the impact of the cost of living crisis (75 %), mental health problems (70 %), "silent resignation" and anxiety linked to climate change (45 %). International SOS had already pointed the finger at the risks associated with mental health in January 2023, particularly in the context of teleworking and hybrid working.

" The seemingly unstable, unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of world events, combined with the cost of living crisis, are major factors contributing to employee stress and burnout. "alerts Doctor Philippe GuibertMedical Director for International SOS. " Businesses that proactively invest in the wellbeing of their employees strengthen their operational resilience. Creating a healthy workplace, by protecting and promoting mental health, will not only help employees overcome these stresses, but will also foster higher levels of engagement, productivity and retention - all of which are essential for navigating a rapidly changing world ".