Health gains and economic momentum are reshaping how APAC entrepreneurs see the year ahead

Across Asia Pacific, economic uncertainty has become a defining feature of daily life. Rising living costs, slower job growth, and shifting work patterns are prompting many to rethink what progress really means. Traditional markers of success — income, job titles, career trajectories — increasingly feel insufficient on their own.

While Asia Pacific remains one of the world's fastest-growing regions, the International Monetary Fund expects growth to moderate in 2026 amid trade pressures and weaker global demand. For many individuals, that softer outlook is being felt less in headline numbers and more in everyday decisions — how they work, spend, and plan for the future.

It is against this backdrop that broader measures of prosperity are gaining relevance. As the World Economic Forum has observed, economic indicators alone no longer capture how people experience success; well-being, health, and quality of life are becoming central to assessing stability and resilience.

When economic conditions are unpredictable, making intentional choices becomes especially important. Having the confidence to make positive decisions — from work and income to time and lifestyle — has become a defining factor in how people navigate uncertainty.

"Empowerment is about agency," says Thomas Harms, managing director of Herbalife in the Asia-Pacific region. "When people feel they can influence their circumstances, they're more likely to take ownership of both economic and well-being decisions. In today's environment, the challenge is no longer just how to earn more, but how to sustain momentum — financially and physically — over the long term."

What the data reveals about confidence and well-being

Herbalife's Asia Pacific Health and Economic Empowerment Survey 2025 offers a snapshot of how people across the region are responding to this environment. Conducted across 11 markets and more than 8,500 respondents, the survey highlights a clear confidence divide.

Entrepreneurs stand out. Nearly three in four expect their economic well-being to improve in the next 12 months, compared with fewer than half of non-entrepreneurs. They are also significantly more confident about achieving their health goals within the same period.

The findings challenge the assumption that entrepreneurship inevitably comes with higher stress or poorer health outcomes. Instead, they suggest that greater control over time, priorities, and income may support more intentional decision-making overall.

The most consistent insight from the survey is the strong correlation between health and economic empowerment. Individuals who feel confident making financial decisions are far more likely to feel capable of managing their health. This relationship appears to be driven less by absolute financial position than by mindset. Empowerment reflects the belief that individual actions - budgeting, routine-building, lifestyle choices — can lead to tangible outcomes.

"Progress tends to compound," Harms explains. "When people make small, deliberate decisions in one area, it builds confidence and momentum that often carries into others. What's important is that this isn't limited to entrepreneurs; even incremental financial steps can motivate people to take greater ownership of their health."

Choosing consistency over quick wins

Across APAC markets, individuals who improve both economic and health outcomes tend to prioritize sustainability over speed. Rather than pursuing rapid gains, they focus on habits that can be maintained through changing circumstances.

This often means setting realistic goals, favouring consistency over intensity, and adjusting expectations when progress slows. It also means accepting that setbacks are part of the process.

"People who sustain momentum don't expect perfection," Harms says. "They allow for setbacks, but they stay committed. That mindset matters just as much as any specific strategy."

Amid uncertainty, consumers adapt — and younger generations see opportunity

While entrepreneurs report higher confidence levels, many consumers across the region feel uncertain about their near-term economic prospects. Ongoing cost pressures and personal financial commitments continue to weigh on sentiment.

Yet the survey indicates that uncertainty has not led to disengagement. At least half of consumers are actively adjusting their behaviour — cutting discretionary spending, exploring investment options, or considering additional income streams — to regain control.

This distinction is critical. "Confidence is often the outcome, not the starting point," says Harms. "It's the act of taking ownership and making deliberate choices that begins to build real confidence over time."

The survey also points to a generational divide. Younger consumers, particularly Gen Zs and Millennials, report greater optimism about improving their economic well-being and health in the year ahead than older age groups.

That optimism may reflect a broader shift in mindset, with younger generations more open to flexible work, lifestyle adaptation, and redefining success around well-being as well as income.

Resilience is built through support and small, consistent choices

Individual effort remains important, but the survey also underscores the role of community in sustaining progress. Support networks such as professional, social, or peer-based can help translate intention into consistent action.

"Resilience is rarely built in isolation," Harms observes. "Access to support and shared learning creates accountability, sustains momentum, and makes long-term change more achievable."

Taken together, the findings suggest a simple yet powerful insight: health and economic empowerment go hand in hand. Confidence, agency, and adaptability in one area tend to reinforce progress in the other.

"Empowerment isn't a single moment of certainty," says Harms. "It's built through repeated, intentional choices. In an environment where uncertainty persists, the ability to act — even without full confidence — is often the foundation of long-term resilience."

Learn how Herbalife supports health and economic empowerment across Asia Pacific.

This post was created by Herbalife with Insider Studios.

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