CPA Australia’s Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey
Each year, CPA Australia conducts in-depth research into the key trends shaping small businesses in the Asia-Pacific region. The 2025 edition of our Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey features insights from over 4,000 small businesses across 11 economies in the region. These annual findings provide invaluable data to assist small business owners, advisers and policy makers in their decision making processes.
Key takeaways for the Australian market
Growth is weak
Online sales lag
Stagnant job creation
What’s needed from government
Recommendations to the Australian government
The Australian market summary from our latest Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey provided some valuable insights. Based on the results from the survey, in March 2025 we called on the next Federal government to take urgent action to revitalise small business.
According to CPA Australia’s Business Investment and International Lead, Gavan Ord, “Australia’s small businesses are held back by insufficient government support for digital adoption and excessive red tape. We need the government to give small businesses the backing they need. This will require a significant culture shift, but it is desperately needed.”
Asia-Pacific small business survey results 2024-25
2024-2025 survey results by market
Take a look at any specific markets you’d like to learn more about. Note: Individual market summaries are being added as they are launched. So, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, come back later to see if your area of interest has been added.
The Australian market summary from our latest Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey provides some valuable insights.
2024 was a positive year for Malaysia’s small businesses, reflecting continued post-pandemic recovery and growth. Seventy-one per cent of Malaysian small businesses grew last year, the highest result in over a decade.
2024 reflects Singapore's small businesses is improving with the highest number of growing businesses since 2019. 51 per cent has reported that their business grew last year.
2024 was another successful year for Vietnam's small businesses, with 82 per cent reporting growth.
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