APAC deal activity down by 3% in 2025 as China and India offset broader decline

By Newsdesk

January 22 2026
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The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region witnessed a moderation in deal activity in 2025, with a 3% decline in the total number of deals announced compared to the previous year. This downturn, encompassing mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, and venture financing deals, was partially offset by growth in China and India, according to a report by GlobalData, a prominent intelligence and productivity platform.

APAC deal activity down by 3% in 2025 as China and India offset broader decline

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, offered insights into the regional dynamics, stating, “Deal activity was generally softer in most of the APAC markets, highlighting a broader regional pullback in line with the global trend amid uncertain market conditions. However, there were also pockets of growth, reflecting a selective risk appetite amid macro uncertainty and tighter financing conditions.”

China and India emerged as bright spots in the region's deal landscape, with China experiencing a 5% increase in deal activity and India registering a 6% growth in 2025 compared to 2024. This upward trend in these two major economies suggests a robust domestic deal pipeline, with strategic investors keen on countries exhibiting growth potential. Other markets such as Hong Kong and Vietnam also demonstrated growth, further indicating the varied investment climate across the APAC region.

In stark contrast, several key APAC markets faced significant declines. Japan, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia saw their respective deal volumes fall by 5%, 7%, 26%, 11%, and 19% during 2025 compared to the previous year. This decline highlights the uneven nature of deal activity across the region, with some countries unable to keep pace with the growth seen in China and India.

GlobalData's analysis of its Deals Database revealed distinct trends within the different types of deals. Venture financing maintained a stable trajectory in 2025, with deal volume remaining mostly unchanged from the previous year. This stability is attributed to investors' continued support for innovation themes, albeit with a more disciplined approach to pricing and path-to-profitability.

However, the M&A landscape painted a different picture. The total number of M&A deals announced in APAC declined by 5% in 2025 compared to the previous year. This suggests a continuation of strategic consolidation but at a slower pace, as companies remain cautious amid ongoing economic uncertainties.

The private equity sector faced even greater challenges, with deal volumes plummeting by 22%. This significant drop reflects a more cautious approach from private equity firms, likely influenced by tighter financing conditions and heightened market volatility.

Bose further elaborated on these trends, noting, “The broader decline in deal activity is not surprising given the macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical tensions that have characterised the global economy. However, the resilience shown by China and India underscores the importance of these markets in the broader APAC region.”

The report also highlighted the potential for historic data to change, as some deals might be added retroactively due to delays in the disclosure of information in the public domain. This underscores the fluid nature of deal activity and the importance of continuous monitoring to capture the most accurate picture of the market.

As the APAC region navigates these complex dynamics, the mixed performance across different markets and deal types underscores the need for investors to adopt a nuanced approach. While some markets like China and India offer growth opportunities, others may require a more cautious strategy in the face of ongoing economic challenges.

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