The report attributed the rise in global CEO departures to sharp year-over-year increases across the Asia Pacific and parts of continental Europe.
Germany’s DAX recorded eight CEO departures in 2025, up from three in 2024, according to RRA. India’s NIFTY 50 and Singapore’s STI also saw sharp increases, rising from three CEO departures each in 2024 to seven and five, respectively, in 2025.
CEO turnover in the S&P 500 remained elevated at 59 departures in 2025, edging up by just one from the previous year. The UK’s FTSE 100 also held relatively steady, with 14 CEO departures in 2025 compared to 12 in 2024.
“Sustained high levels of CEO turnover should be expected given the environment leaders are operating in today,” said Rusty O’Kelley, RRA Co-Lead Board and CEO Advisory Partners in the Americas, in a statement.
“The CEO role has become materially more complex and harder than it has ever been, shaped by ongoing economic and political uncertainty, and relentless scrutiny from investors. As investor expectations recalibrate—often driven by activism—the margin for error has narrowed significantly.”