What Are Turkish CEOs Most Afraid Of?

PwC Global CEO Survey Reveals Turkey’s Unique Risk Perception

At the first Aegean edition of EKONOMİ newspaper’s “Transforming Leadership Summit,” the results of PwC’s Global CEO Survey revealed how corporate executives perceive global risks and threats. The findings, which included responses from 88 top CEOs in Turkey, highlighted a striking divergence between Turkish executives and their global counterparts in terms of economic anxiety.

According to the survey, 58% of Turkish CEOs view inflation as an extremely or highly significant threat, while 41% see macroeconomic volatility in the same light. Globally, those figures drop to just 27% and 29%, respectively. This sharp contrast indicates that Turkish business leaders are far more alarmed than their peers worldwide.

The primary reasons for this anxiety are Turkey’s current inflationary environment, ongoing currency pressures, and uncertainty surrounding monetary policy — all of which have created a unique risk atmosphere for Turkish companies.

Geopolitical Tensions Rank High on the List

Another major concern for Turkish CEOs is geopolitical conflict. While 36% of Turkish respondents identify it as a critical threat, only 22% of global CEOs share that view. Given the ongoing wars and tensions in Turkey’s immediate neighborhood, this risk has become a direct factor in business decision-making.

Access to Skilled Labor: A Growing Concern

A notable 30% of Turkish CEOs consider the inability to access skilled labor a serious threat to their companies — a figure that exceeds the 23% global average. Structural issues in Turkey’s labor market and a growing talent mismatch are clearly on the radar for corporate leaders.

Cybersecurity Perceived as Less Urgent in Turkey

Globally, 24% of CEOs see cybersecurity threats as a high-level risk, but in Turkey, that concern is shared by only 13% of executives. This gap suggests that awareness and preparedness regarding digital threats may not be at sufficient levels among Turkish firms.

Disruptive Technologies Viewed Similarly Worldwide

When it comes to disruptive technologies, Turkish CEOs are more aligned with global trends. 22% of Turkish executives view these developments as a primary threat — nearly equal to the 20% global average.

Climate Change Awareness on the Rise

Climate change ranks as the fourth most-cited risk among Turkish CEOs, with 16% identifying it as a major concern. While still relatively low, this is above the 12% global average, pointing to growing awareness of environmental issues among Turkish businesses.

Social Inequality: A Much Bigger Concern in Turkey

One of the most striking findings was the perception of social inequality. In Turkey, 16% of CEOs flagged this as a major risk, while globally, only 5% did so. The report attributes this to Turkey’s increasing income inequality, labor market issues, and wider social unrest — pushing companies to consider social responsibility and inclusion as part of their long-term strategies.

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