Geopolitical Risks Top Fed Survey of Economic Concerns in Spring 2026

Respondents to the latest Federal Reserve survey placed geopolitical risks as their primary concern in the spring 2026 edition. The ranking rose one notch from the fall 2025 survey, according to data released on Friday. Artificial intelligence climbed two places to No.

3 from No. 5 in the previous survey. Private credit also moved sharply higher, reaching No. 4 from No. 9. Inflation and monetary tightening dropped to fifth place from third. The survey results reflect shifting priorities among respondents regarding economic and financial risks.

Geopolitical risks now occupy the top spot, indicating heightened attention to international developments. The changes come as global events continue to influence economic outlooks.

The rise of artificial intelligence in the rankings coincides with its growing role in business and finance. Private credit's jump to fourth place suggests increased focus on that segment of lending markets. The decline in the ranking for inflation and tightening follows a period in which those pressures had commanded greater attention.

No additional details on the exact composition of respondents or the full list of risks were provided in the initial release. The survey is conducted twice each year, capturing changes in perceived threats to economic stability.