UAE CEOs Lead Global Optimism with Bold Economic Outlook for 2025

UAE, 8 April, 2025 : CEOs in the UAE are showing record levels of optimism about the global economy, according to Arthur D. Little’s 2025 CEO Insights Survey. An impressive 85% of UAE CEOs expect the global economy to improve over the next three to five years, up from 61% in 2024, making them among the most confident globally.

This confidence is mirrored by bold strategic moves. The survey reveals that 60% of UAE CEOs see reskilling as a top priority—well above the global average of 49%. Companies in the UAE also forecast an 8.8% annual boost in productivity over the next three years and are dedicating 1.8% of their revenues to efficiency and performance enhancement initiatives.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals are also taking center stage. Thirty percent of UAE CEOs now prioritize ESG above other strategic initiatives—more than double the global average. ESG is no longer viewed as a compliance measure but as a core driver of growth and competitiveness.

“UAE CEOs have translated confidence into bold action,” said Thomas Kuruvilla, Managing Partner at Arthur D. Little Middle East & India. “They are setting the pace in sustainability, workforce development, and operational excellence.”

The survey also highlights strategic agility, with 83% of UAE CEOs having revised or planning to revise their strategies in response to geopolitical or market shifts, compared to 59% globally.

Francesco Marsella, Global Leader of Growth and Transformation Practices at Arthur D. Little, added, “CEOs today are embracing change as opportunity. They’re not just prepared for uncertainty—they’re positioning themselves to lead through it.”

The 2025 CEO Insights Survey gathered insights from 309 global CEOs across key industries, all from companies with revenues exceeding $1 billion.