CEOs remain apprehensive about the possibility of a recession as 2025 begins, according to a new survey conducted by The Conference Board. Intensified trade wars also emerged as the top geopolitical risk for business leaders worldwide.
The survey included input from 1,722 C-suite executives and board members, including 508 CEOs, with participants primarily representing North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Results revealed that 46% of CEOs globally consider a downturn or recession a high-impact issue for the year. While this figure is slightly lower than the 53% reported in last year’s survey, it still ranks as the primary concern in all regions except Japan, where labor shortages topped the list.
Geopolitical tensions, particularly US-EU-China relations, were another significant concern. These tensions were cited as the top issue by 34% of US CEOs and 50% of CEOs across Asia and Europe.
Key Findings from the Survey:
- Cybersecurity Risks: A quarter of CEOs globally and 36% of C-suite executives identified cyberattacks as a high-impact issue for 2025.
- US National Debt: More than half of US CEOs, 51%, highlighted national debt and deficits as a critical concern.
- AI Integration Challenges: CEOs are facing difficulties integrating artificial intelligence into their operations, with 45% citing a lack of skilled talent as the biggest hurdle.
US Employment Trends Index Shows Stability
In addition to the survey, The Conference Board released its US Employment Trends Index, which ended 2024 at a six-month high. The index increased to 109.70 in December 2024, up from a downwardly revised reading of 109.45 in November, signaling that US employment is on track to remain stable in the coming months.
Mitchell Barnes, an economist at The Conference Board, noted in a press release that the data underscores the resilience of the US labor market. Barnes explained that high employment and wage growth have continued to support strong consumer spending, and he projected labor demand to remain steady as businesses navigate a challenging policy and economic landscape in the coming year.
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