The PwC’s 28th Annual Global CEO Survey reveals key trends shaping the global economy in 2025. Based on responses from 4,701 CEOs across 109 countries, the report delves into their perspectives on growth, workforce, risks, and transformative technologies like GenAI.
Key Findings: Optimism and Growth
- Economic Growth: 60% of CEOs predict increased global economic growth over the next 12 months.
- Workforce Expansion: 42% plan to increase headcount by 5% or more.
- Industry Trends: Technology, real estate, and pharma lead workforce expansion efforts.
Top Risks by Region
- Global: Macroeconomic volatility (29%) and inflation (27%) dominate concerns.
- Regional Risks:
- Middle East: Geopolitical conflict (41%).
- Western Europe: Cyber risk (27%).
- Africa: Inflation (39%).
The Reinvention Imperative
- Survival Risks: 42% of CEOs doubt their company’s viability over the next decade without significant change.
- Action Taken: 63% of companies have redefined value creation in the past five years.
- Sector Shift: 38% entered new sectors, with 34% generating 20%+ revenue from them.
- Challenges: Limited agility in reallocating resources; only 7% of revenue came from new businesses.
GenAI: Opportunities and Challenges
- Efficiency Gains: 56% report time savings; 32% saw revenue increases from GenAI.
- Profitability Gap: Expectations vs. outcomes remain mismatched (46% expected gains; 34% achieved).
- Future Integration:
- 47% to integrate AI into tech platforms.
- 41% to embed it in core processes.
- 30% to develop new products/services.
Climate Investments: A Positive Impact
- Revenue Growth: Climate-related investments yielded revenue growth six times more often than declines.
- Cost Impact: Reduced or neutral cost effects reported by two-thirds of CEOs.
- Barriers: Regulatory complexity (24%) hinders investment.
CEOs are balancing optimism with challenges, leveraging technologies like GenAI, addressing climate imperatives, and adapting to dynamic risks. The survey underscores a need for bold, strategic reinvention to sustain growth and competitiveness in an evolving global economy.
