News from Civsy, based on generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data searchCivil unrest has become an increasingly urgent challenge for businesses around the globe, with its frequency and severity rising significantly in recent years. According to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2025, political risks and violence have consistently ranked among the top 10 global business concerns for three consecutive years. Among these risks, civil unrest now stands out as the most pressing issue for more than 50% of companies surveyed, underscoring its disruptive impact on operations, employee safety, and property.
The scale of civil unrest is staggering. Since 2017, there have been over 800 significant anti-government protests across more than 150 countries. In 2024 alone, over 160 major incidents were recorded, with 18% of these lasting longer than three months. These events are not confined to specific regions but span the globe, with hotspots including India, the United States, France, Germany, Türkiye, and Spain. In fact, in the top 20 countries most affected by protest and riot activity during 2024, a staggering 80,000 incidents were reported. This growing wave of unrest has not only disrupted daily life but has also inflicted substantial economic losses on businesses. Insured losses from strikes, riots, and civil commotion (SRCC) events have exceeded $10 billion over the past decade. In some regions, such as Chile and South Africa, losses from civil unrest have rivalled or even surpassed those caused by natural disasters.
The drivers of this escalating unrest are varied and deeply rooted in societal and economic challenges. High inflation rates, soaring food and fuel prices, and widening wealth inequality are fuelling dissatisfaction among populations worldwide. Political polarization has further exacerbated tensions; the "super election year" of 2024 saw widespread protests triggered by contentious election outcomes and divisive policy changes. Environmental concerns have also played a role, with climate anxieties intensifying activism against government policies perceived as inadequate or harmful. Additionally, concerns over democracy and perceived assaults on civil liberties continue to act as potent triggers for demonstrations.
For businesses, the implications of civil unrest are profound and multifaceted. Protests can lead to significant operational disruptions due to road blockages, strikes, or damage to critical infrastructure. Riots often result in vandalism or destruction of assets located near flashpoints, causing substantial financial losses. Employee safety is another critical concern during periods of unrest, as ensuring the security of workers becomes a top priority for companies operating in affected areas. Beyond these immediate impacts, even minor incidents can catalyse long-term societal changes that alter market dynamics and consumer behaviour in ways that are difficult to predict.
Srdjan Todorovic, Head of Political Violence and Hostile Environment Solutions at Allianz Commercial, highlights the growing complexity of these risks: “Political violence activity can impact businesses in many ways. In addition to endangering the safety of employees and customers, those in the immediate vicinity of unrest can suffer business interruption losses and material damage to property or assets.”
To navigate this volatile landscape effectively, businesses must take proactive steps to mitigate risks associated with civil unrest. Scenario planning is essential for anticipating potential disruptions by analysing geopolitical trends and preparing contingency plans tailored to specific risks. Insurance coverage also plays a critical role; while property insurance may cover political violence claims in some cases, specialist coverage designed specifically for SRCC risks is becoming increasingly necessary as incidents grow in frequency and severity. Robust business continuity plans that prioritize employee safety and operational resilience are equally important for minimizing disruptions during periods of unrest. Finally, monitoring key areas of operation for signs of instability can help businesses respond proactively before situations escalate into full-blown crises.
As geopolitical tensions persist and societal grievances deepen across many parts of the world, civil unrest is expected to remain a pressing concern for businesses well into the future. Companies must remain vigilant about evolving risks while adopting comprehensive measures to safeguard their people and assets. By doing so, they will be better equipped to weather the challenges posed by an increasingly unpredictable global environment.
This growing trend underscores the critical need for businesses to address civil unrest not just as an operational risk but as a central issue in their broader risk management strategies for 2025 and beyond.
Distribution of civil unrest:
The distribution of civil unrest incidents across the world varies significantly by region, influenced by unique political, economic, and social dynamics. The Allianz reports do not provide a detailed breakdown of civil unrest incidents by continent or region but highlight key trends and hotspots globally. Here are the insights from the reports:
Global Overview: Over 80,000 incidents of protests and riots were recorded in the top 20 most affected countries in 2024. These incidents were concentrated in nations like India, the United States, France, Germany, Türkiye, and Spain [3][4].
Europe: France is identified as a significant hotspot, with 457 protests recorded in June 2023 alone due to pension reform demonstrations. Germany also saw over 4,000 protests in 2024, marking a one-third increase from the previous year [2][4].
Asia: India led the global count with more than 18,600 protest incidents in 2024. Other countries in Asia, such as Pakistan, also featured prominently among the most affected nations [4].
North America: The United States experienced widespread unrest driven by socio-political issues, ranking among the top countries for protest activity [3][4].
Latin America: While Latin America was not highlighted as prominently for 2024 unrest compared to other regions, ongoing issues in countries like Colombia and Mexico contribute to regional instability [3].
Middle East: Ongoing tensions in Türkiye and the Balkans were excluded from the global protest count but remain significant sources of unrest [3].
Africa: Although not explicitly detailed for 2024, Africa has historically been a region with high levels of social unrest due to economic challenges and political instability [2].
The reports emphasize that civil unrest is a global phenomenon but varies significantly by region depending on underlying political, economic, and social factors.
Citations:[1] https://commercial.allianz.com/news-and-insights/expert-risk-articles/allianz-risk-barometer-2025-political-risks-violence.html[2] https://commercial.allianz.com/content/dam/onemarketing/commercial/commercial/reports/commercial-political-violence-civil-unrest-trends-2024.pdf[3] https://commercial.allianz.com/news-and-insights/news/political-violence-and-civil-unrest-trends-2025.html
