India has emerged as one of the top countries for global investment and economic confidence, according to PwC’s latest annual CEO survey. Released during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, the survey revealed that nearly nine out of ten Indian CEOs remain optimistic about the country’s economic growth. They also plan to expand their workforce and continue adopting artificial intelligence (AI).
India Among Top 5 for Global Investment Plans
India stands alongside the US, the UK, Germany, and China as a leading destination for global CEOs’ investment plans. The survey, which covered over 4,700 CEOs across 109 countries, found that 87% of Indian CEOs are optimistic about the country’s economic growth—far surpassing the global average of 57%.
Nearly three-fourths (74%) of Indian CEOs expressed strong confidence in their companies’ revenue growth over the next three years, attributing this to India’s robust economic growth, infrastructural advancements, ease of doing business, and skilled young workforce.
Focus on AI and Climate-Friendly Investments
Indian CEOs are prioritizing innovation and sustainable development, with 51% expecting generative AI (GenAI) to boost profitability. Additionally, one-third of Indian CEOs reported revenue gains from climate-friendly investments made in the past five years. “For CEOs today, the challenge is to envision the ecosystem in which their company will operate in the future,” said Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC India. “This includes thinking through the impacts of megatrends like climate change and AI, evolving customer needs, shifting value pools, and the roles their company will play.”
Product Innovation and Sectoral Expansion Drive Growth
The survey highlighted that 40% of Indian CEOs consider product and service innovation their primary strategy for reinvention in the past five years. Similarly, four in ten Indian and global CEOs noted that their companies had expanded into at least one new sector or industry during the same period.
Challenges Amid Optimism
While Indian CEOs remain confident, challenges such as technological disruptions, macroeconomic volatility, inflation, and a shortage of skilled labor persist. Disruptive technologies are viewed as one of the top factors impacting business viability.
As India continues to attract investors with its dynamic economy and innovation potential, the focus remains on addressing these hurdles to sustain growth and resilience in the future.
