KPMG 2025 CEO Outlook

Despite the headwinds, cautious optimism persists, with a significant majority of leaders focusing on investment in talent to drive a return to growth. 92 percent of CEOs say they’re planning to increase headcount over the next three years, while many remain upbeat on healthy earnings growth and remain keen on M&A. 61 percent forecast earnings increases of more than 2.5 percent in the coming three years, while 89 percent are predicting merger or acquisition activity. Their biggest potential roadblocks to achieving growth remain relatively unchanged from last year, with cybercrime and cyber insecurity (79 percent), AI workforce readiness or upskilling of workforce on AI (77%) and success integration of AI into business processes (75 percent) continuing to loom large.

Economic and geopolitical turbulence is forcing CEOs to rethink their leadership and strategy. Most (72 percent) have already adapted their growth plans, but leaders remain divided on what specific capabilities are needed to respond to today’s fast-changing and unpredictable environment, with greater agility and faster decision making (26 percent) vying with transparency in communication (24 percent) and the ability to identify prioritize risks and manage risks (23 percent) for top priority.

CEOs, navigating a shifting economic landscape, are doubling down on AI and technological innovation. Nearly three quarters (71percent) of leaders say AI is a top investment priority for 2026, with 69 percent planning to invest between 10 and 20 percent of their budgets to AI over the next 12 months.

Overall, confidence around AI is strong, with 74 percent of leaders believing that their organization can keep pace with the rapid development of AI and its effects on adoption, operations or workflow. There is also high confidence (89 percent) that boards are equipped to navigate the adoption of advanced technologies to drive business growth.

However, an accelerated global adoption of AI is creating new challenges for the boardroom. CEOs express significant reservations regarding ethical implications (59 percent), data readiness (52 percent) and lack of regulation (50 percent). A clear consensus is emerging that robust governance frameworks will be critical for AI's sustained success.

CEOs also recognize the success of AI adoption depends on effective implementation and the prevailing sentiment is a commitment to a people-led deployment of new technology. While concerns persist that AI could lead to widespread job losses, 61 percent of CEOs say they are actively hiring new talent with AI and broader technology skills, while 70 percent report concerns about competition for AI talent and 77 percent highlight workforce upskilling as a challenge, underscoring the intensifying race for talent.

While attitudes toward ESG vary across regions, the KPMG 2025 CEO Outlook indicates that most corporate leaders remain strongly committed to their sustainability goals and increasingly confident of meeting them.

Notably, a majority (61 percent) of CEOs now express confidence in meeting their net-zero targets by 2030. This marked increase in confidence suggests a strengthening belief in the attainability of long-term climate ambitions within the corporate world.