Middle East CEOs most confident globally about company growth in 2025

27 January 2025 Consultancy-me.com

CEOs in the Middle East are among the most confident globally about revenue growth in the year ahead. That is according to the 2025 edition of PwC’s annual CEO Survey.

Now in its 28th edition,  the CEO Survey from the global accounting and consulting firm canvassed the views of more than 4,700 chef executives worldwide, including over 275 chief executives in 11 Middle Eastern countries.

“What we’ve heard from CEOs in the region is clear,” said Hani Ashkar, Senior Partner at PwC in the Middle East. “They are among the most confident globally about economic growth in their territories and their own revenue growth in the coming year, with many planning to expand their workforces.”

In terms of numbers, 71% of CEOs in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) told PwC that they are optimistic about their own territory’s economic growth – ahead of their peers in the wider region and globally – with 80% of CEOs in the UAE and 77% in Saudi Arabia forecasting economic growth in the next 12 months, followed by CEOs in Oman (69%) and Qatar (63%). Expectations of growth from CEOs globally when talking about their own territories sat at a more modest 57%.

Middle East CEOs most confident globally about growth in 2025

Source: PwC

CEOs in the region have a strong confidence in the growth of their own companies, with those in the GCC particularly optimistic about revenue growth in 2025 (at 90%). 61% of GCC-based CEOs also expect to increase headcount this year, compared to just 42% of their global peers, and up from 55% in 2024.

Commenting on the positive sentiment, Ashkar said: “The Middle East’s optimism reflects a remarkable ability to adapt and innovate in the face of global challenges. CEOs in the region are adopting bold strategies to drive growth and competitiveness, advance sustainability and integrate AI into their businesses. These efforts are reinforcing the region’s role as a dynamic hub for business and investment, ensuring long-term value creation for stakeholders and communities alike.”

Unsurprisingly, in the wider Middle East, confidence is lower than in GCC countries as the economic impact of regional conflicts have extended to neighbouring countries, such as Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon.

Outlook by sector

Looking at confidence through an industry lens, the consumer markets sector is the most confident about revenue growth in the short term (within the next 12 months), while the technology, media, and telecommunications sector leads in confidence over the more medium term.

Middle East CEOs most confident globally about growth in 2025

Source: PwC

From a headcount perspective, 70% of CEOs in the healthcare industry plan to increase employee numbers in the coming twelve months, alongside over 60% in consumer markets, transportation and logistics and technology, media and telecommunications. Additionally, more than half of CEOs in the energy, utilities and resources and financial services sectors anticipate workforce growth.

Reinvention

One common theme among CEOs, both worldwide and in the region, is the need to continuously evolve their business – and even reinvent. A striking 60% of regional CEOs now believe their businesses will not survive ‘within the next 10 years or less’ without significant adaptation, a notable increase from last year, when less than half expressed similar concerns.

Middle East CEOs most confident globally about growth in 2025

Source: PwC

“To thrive in the near future, regional leaders must embrace a rapid reinvention of their business models, leveraging advanced technologies, commit to further investment in sustainable strategies and upskilling their workforce – while adapting to shifting geopolitical and regulatory landscapes,” said Ashkar.

Commenting on technology as a pillar for reinvention, Ali Hosseini, Chief AI and Technology at PwC, said: “AI and emerging technologies have become essential for reimagining and shaping the future of enterprise transformation. Beyond automating routine tasks, they empower organizations to uncover game-changing insights and redefine competitive advantages.”

Across the board, 70% of CEOs in the GCC also believe that GenAI will increase profitability in 2025. Not surprisingly then, a notable 88% of CEOs told PwC that they have adopted GenAI in the last 12 months, exceeding global averages and reflecting greater confidence in the technology’s potential.

Middle East CEOs most confident globally about growth in 2025

Source: PwC

On the importance of sustainability to the CEO agenda Yahya Anouti, Sustainability Leader at PwC, noted: “Sustainability can drive economic opportunity and deliver measurable benefits. With almost 80% initiating climate-friendly investments in the last five years, the region is proving that bold action on climate can align with profitability. The challenge now is for leaders to accelerate innovation, push boundaries, and turn sustainability into a cornerstone of their competitive advantage.”

Stephen Anderson, Strategy Leader at PwC, noted: “Middle East CEOs are more confident than their global peers, capturing the significant market opportunities in our region, while also proactively reinventing their businesses. Our confident CEOs are embracing AI, adapting their businesses for the opportunities and threats associated with climate change and fiercely competing outside of their industry to capture new value domains.”

Alongside growth and reinvention, regional CEOs remain vigilant over the increasing threat landscape. CEOs in the region cited cyber security as their main concern, closely followed by geopolitical risk, macroeconomic volatility and technological disruption.

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