CEOs in both the United States and globally say slow growth and a recession are their No. 1 external worry of 2023, according to a survey by The Conference Board.
The survey also found most executives think stronger economic growth will not return any time soon: 51 percent of CEOs worldwide — and 60 percent of U.S. CEOs — expect a tepid year ahead, with their economies only picking back up by late 2023 or mid-2024.
Despite CEOs bracing for weaker growth and recessions, labor shortages and talent retention rank among the biggest challenges of executives worldwide, underscoring how the current downturn differs from those in the past. The survey also reveals that a recession won't prompt most U.S. CEOs — 55 percent — to rein in their companies' ESG investments in 2023. And despite the heightened and recent pushback against ESG, 71 percen