Despite the challenging landscape of persistent geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, Asia Pacific CEOs stand firm with an overwhelming 82 percent of survey respondents expressing confidence in the growth prospects of their domestic economies. This figure exceeds the global average of 64 percent, likely reflecting CEOs’ stronger grasp of their local markets, which they view as more stable and familiar than the global economy.
KPMG’s 11th CEO Outlook shows that nearly all Asia Pacific CEOs (97 percent) have seen their roles shift over the past five years, adapting to new pressures, expectations, and growing complexity. This adaptability is evident in how a majority of regional leaders (82 percent) are learning to balance centralized and localized operations in response to growing geopolitical tensions and climate risks.
Asia Pacific CEOs believe the top three must-have leadership capabilities in today’s unpredictable environment include greater agility and decision-making under pressure (27 percent); a stronger ability to lead transformation and culture change (26 percent); an in-depth understanding of regulatory requirements (26 percent); and broader digital and technological literacy (24 percent).
Further, regional leaders are not just adapting to change, they are driving it with AI. Many CEOs are turning to AI to support their work. Two-thirds (67 percent) of ASPAC CEOs are prioritizing AI investment, with 75 percent believing that the successful integration of AI into business processes will be the most impactful factor for their organizations’ prosperity. This strategic focus on AI is also reshaping workforce strategy, with 65 percent redesigning career paths to reflect AI collaboration and 61 percent hiring new talent with AI and tech skills.
