A key measure of volatility in stock markets, known as the "Fear Gauge", has risen to record levels amid continued falls in share prices.
Some global markets have seen five of the largest single-day falls within the past month.
The US' Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 13% down on Friday's price, with the S&P 500 dropped nearly 12%. It is the single largest daily fall for both markets since Black Monday in 1987.
Since 18 February, the Dow Jones index has dropped by 30%.
Markets in Asia also saw volatile trading on Monday, with indexes in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai switching between losses and gains throughout the day.
The continuing trend in falling prices comes despite huge economic stimulus introduced by central banks around the world. Investors are growing increasingly concerned that policymakers have very few options left to utilise in their attempts to boost economic growth.
