Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on October 16, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleMunich Re warns of civil unrest risk in Europe due to slow growth, highlighting economic tension and insurance challenges.
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Tepid economic growth in Europe could result in a growing risk of civil unrest, a top executive with the German insurer Munich Re said on Thursday.
Clarisse Kopff, a board member overseeing business in Europe and Latin America, said that lower rates of economic growth in Europe, compared with the United States and China, were already resulting in tension.
"This will put pressure on the purchasing power of European citizens ... This might fuel more riots, more civil commotions," she told journalists.
The International Monetary Fund this week forecast economic growth of 2.1% in the United States for 2026 and 4.2% for China, while the euro zone would likely grow just 1.1%.
Civil unrest was one of several risks that the world's largest insurer highlighted ahead of an upcoming industry gathering in Baden-Baden, Germany.
Munich Re also pointed to a growing risk of hail damage in Europe as the climate warms, as well as cyber risks that could result in business interruption, especially in Europe with relatively low rates of cyber insurance coverage.
(Reporting by Tom Sims; editing by Matthias williams)
Economic growth is the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period of time, typically measured by the rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Cyber risks are potential threats to computer systems and networks, including data breaches, hacking, and other malicious activities that can compromise sensitive information and disrupt operations.
Insurance is a financial arrangement that provides protection against financial loss or risk, where an individual or entity pays premiums to an insurer in exchange for coverage.
Financial stability refers to a condition in which the financial system operates effectively, maintaining the ability to withstand economic shocks and ensuring the smooth functioning of financial markets.
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