As featured on PhilStar: Leading amid disruption: Key takeaways from KPMG’s 11th CEO outlook
The 11th edition of the KPMG CEO Outlook, a survey conducted with 1,350 CEOs globally between 5 August and 10 September 2025, provides unique insights into the mindsets, strategies, and planning tactics of business leaders across key markets and industry sectors. Despite a landscape marked by continuous disruption, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and economic headwinds, leadership sentiment remains resilient. While confidence in the global economy has softened, CEOs are maintaining a focus on long-term growth through increased investment in technology, enhancing workforce capabilities, and driving organizational transformation.
This is the first in a series of articles based on insights from the KPMG 2025 CEO Outlook, beginning with a high-level overview of the survey results and a closer look at talent-related priorities.
Globally, 79 percent of CEOs remain confident in their organizations’ growth prospects. This sentiment moderates slightly in Asia Pacific at 71 percent, but strengthens in the Philippines at 80 percent, reflecting the strong domestic demand and resilience of the local business environment. The data reflects a broader shift: CEOs are no longer waiting for stability. They are moving ahead with strategic investment and transformation amid uncertainty.
For talent, 92 percent of Global CEO respondents plan to increase headcount, and 77 percent agree that AI readiness and upskilling will directly enhance their organization’s prosperity over the next three years. In the Philippines, 80 percent of CEO respondents are focusing on prioritizing retaining and retraining high-potential talent and 64 percent on deploying staff from traditional roles to AI-enabled roles. Philippine leaders appear deeply committed to talent transformation, ensuring their workforce remains competitive and future-ready.
Labor market dynamics add another dimension to workforce planning. Globally, 88 percent of CEOs believe an aging workforce will significantly affect recruitment, retention, and organizational culture. In ASPAC, similar concerns persist, particularly in maturing and developed economies. In the Philippines, 72 percent of CEO respondents share this sentiment, signaling the need for proactive planning around succession, knowledge transfer, and cross-generational collaboration.
Today’s CEOs operate in an environment where disruption is constant. The pressures are real, but so are the opportunities. Organizations that can convert market volatility into strategic momentum, supported by strong leadership, responsible technology adoption, and empowered employees, will be positioned for sustainable growth and long-term resilience.
Ultimately, the 2025 CEO Outlook highlights a leadership agenda that is becoming more deliberate and more people-centric. As investment decisions increasingly converge around talent,
technology, and workforce readiness, the challenge for organizations will be execution. Sustained growth will depend not only on strategic intent, but on the ability to translate plans into capabilities, equip people for new ways of working, and align transformation efforts with long-term business objectives.
Sharon G. Dayoan is the Chairman and CEO, and Head of People, Performance and Culture of R.G. Manabat & Co. (KPMG in the Philippines), a Philippine partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. For more information, you may reach out to Sharon G. Dayoan through ph-kpmgmla@kpmg.com, social media or visit www.home.kpmg/ph.
This article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice to a specific issue or entity. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent KPMG International or KPMG in the Philippines.