The Pulse Report ANZ - 2025
Empowered Together
The 2025 CEO Mid-Year Pulse is a snapshot of what Australia’s business leaders are seeing, feeling and deciding at the midpoint of the year.
This edition draws on insights from The CEO Institute’s member survey, combined with research from leading organisations including PwC, KPMG, BCG, TAL Group, NAB, NAOS Asset Management and the ABS.
It explores the forces shaping CEO decision-making in 2025 — from economic sentiment and state-by-state confidence, to AI adoption, policy uncertainty, leadership wellbeing, generational change and long-term business resilience.
- 52% of WA CEOs expect economic conditions to improve compared to 2024
- 41% of CEOs paused or scaled back capital investment due to political uncertainty
- Fewer than one in five CEOs have successfully integrated AI into core operations
- CEO wellbeing scores sit below optimal in every Australian state surveyed
- 72% of Gen Z employees expect CEOs to speak out on social issues
- 53% of NSW CEOs believed Australia was on the wrong path in January
- 63% of Queensland CEOs believe their businesses can remain sustainable for more than a decade
