Cyber attacks and data breaches remains the number one risk across Asia. However, in 2025 "Increasing Competition" and "Exchange Rate Fluctuation" have risen sharply, reflecting the region's dynamic markets and heightened exposure to global financial volatility according to a new survey by Aon.
The new report Asia findings of 2025 Global Risk Management Survey published in November 2025 reveals that Increasing Competition is now among the top three key risks for the Asian region’s top business leaders, a significant jump from eighth place in 2023.
The survey findings reveal that the region is grappling with intensifying competition and economic uncertainty as organisations confront a new era of disruption and transformation. The survey, which gathered insights from nearly 3,000 risk managers, C-suite leaders, and executives across 63 countries, highlights how Asia's risk priorities are shifting in response to technological, economic and geopolitical forces.
Asia's risk landscape also features "Weather and Natural Disasters" as a prominent concern, ranking eighth. This issue is more pronounced in Asia compared to other regions, underscoring Asia's vulnerability to climate-related disruptions.
Additionally, "Failure to Attract and Retain Top Talent" rounds out the top ten risks — a challenge that does not appear among the global top ten, highlighting unique workforce pressures in the region.
The survey found that 52.1% of businesses reported losses due to "Exchange Rate Fluctuations", followed by 45.4% from "Economic Slowdown" and 43.6% "Increasing Competition". Workforce challenges persist, with 30.4% of businesses reporting losses due to "Failure to Attract and Retain Top Talent".
Aon APAC head of commercial risk Terence Williams said, "Asia's business environment is transforming rapidly. Digitalisation, shifting economic currents and increasing competition are reshaping priorities. Today's challenges are more interconnected than ever — cyber threats can disrupt supply chains; economic volatility can impact talent retention and climate events can trigger regulatory changes overnight.”
Asia's top ten business risks in 2025
1. Cyber attacks/Data breach
2. Economic slowdown/slow recovery
3. Increasing competition
4. Business interruption
5. Supply chain or distribution failure
6. Commodity price risk/scarcity of materials
7. Exchange rate fluctuation
8. Weather/natural disasters
9. Regulatory/legislative changes
10. Failure to attract or retain top talent
The survey highlights the risks facing Asian organisations and clear opportunities for resilience and growth. While risk awareness is rising, most organisations have yet to quantify their exposures or leverage advanced analytics.