Saudi Arabia’s top executives are showing strong alignment around forward-looking strategy and investment, according to Arthur D. Little’s 2025 CEO Insights Survey. A notable 67% of CEOs in the Kingdom expect the global economy to improve in the next three to five years, highlighting robust confidence in their ability to navigate today’s dynamic business environment.
This confidence is supported by a growing focus on workforce development and sustainability. The survey reveals that 58% of KSA CEOs see a moderate or strong need to reskill their employees—a signal of increasing attention to building future-ready talent as the market evolves.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) priorities continue to gain traction in the Kingdom. One in four KSA CEOs (25%) now place ESG above all other business initiatives—more than twice the global average of 12%. This reflects a clear shift from ESG as a compliance consideration to a long-term value and competitiveness driver.
“KSA’s business leaders are not just adapting to change—they are actively setting the pace for transformation across the region,” said Thomas Kuruvilla, Managing Partner at Arthur D. Little Middle East & India. “Their bold focus on reskilling, sustainability, and strategic reinvention signals a new era of growth and innovation that aligns with the Kingdom’s wider vision for economic leadership.”
This forward momentum is further reflected in how Saudi CEOs are preparing for the future. According to the survey, 75% have already revised, or are preparing to revise, their business strategies in response to geopolitical shifts and global growth signals—well above the global average of 59%.
Francesco Marsella, Managing Partner and Global Leader of the Growth and Transformation Practices at Arthur D. Little, comments: “The third edition of our global study shows that CEOs are ready for the unexpected, with mindsets that see change as an opportunity rather than a threat. CEOs feel well-positioned to not just cope with geopolitical and technology uncertainty, but to thrive and grow.”
The Arthur D. Little 2025 CEO Insights Survey includes the views of 309 global CEOs from companies with revenues exceeding $1 billion, across major industries and markets.
