Asia Pacific Consumers Lack Confidence to Achieve Economic Goals - Herbalife Survey

Herbalife, a premier health and wellness company and community and platform, released new findings from its Asia Pacific (APAC) Health and Economic Empowerment Survey 2025, where only two in five (43%) consumers feel very empowered to improve their economic wellbeing, and only one in three are very confident in achieving their economic goals in the next 12 months.

The respective percentages for consumers in Vietnam is more than a half (59% nearly half (45%). In view of this, many plan to reduce their non-essential spending, invest or to start a business to boost their chances of achieving their goals.

“It is encouraging to see the higher levels of economic empowerment and confidence among consumers in Vietnam against the whole region. For those seeking to make some extra income or grow a business, Herbalife offers a versatile platform of tools, technology, training and community to help people achieve their goals for greater economic stability. Herbalife Vietnam has always been strongly committed to optimal customer services for our customers and, together with our independent members, help nurture health and well-being of our local people and communities through science-based nutrition and active lifestyles”, said Vu Van Thang, General Manager for Herbalife Vietnam and Cambodia.

The APAC Health and Economic Empowerment Survey 2025 was conducted in October last year and polled 8,505 respondents, including 2,245 entrepreneurs, across 11 countries including Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Reducing spend, diversifying income sources key to improving economic wellbeing

Among those surveyed in Vietnam, about one in three (36%) rate their current state of economic wellbeing positively. This was influenced largely by the uncertain economic climate (52%%), as well as lack of time (35%).

In response to this, many Vietnamese consumers are choosing to actively take steps to boost their economic wellbeing in the next 12 months. Almost half plan to reduce their social gathering (46%) and non-essential spending (43%) to start a business to improve their financial outlook.

Gen Zs, Millennials more optimistic about improving health and economic wellbeing

Looking ahead, there is greater optimism among younger consumers in Vietnam in improving their economic well-being and health in the next 12 months. Nine in ten Gen Zs (92%) and Millennials (92%) expect their economic to improve in the coming months, higher than the average of 89% across all age groups.

The survey also found a similar pattern when it comes to the outlook on one’s health. Forty-nine percent of Gen Zs and 54% of Millennials expressed confidence in achieving their health goals in the next 12 months, higher than the proportion of Gen Xers (47%) and Boomers (21%) who share the same sentiments.

Majority in Vietnam taking positive actions to realize health goals in the next 12 months

The top three actions mentioned to improve overall health and well-being were exercising more (51%), giving up unhealthy lifestyle habits (49%), and increasing time on wellbeing activities (40%).

The survey also revealed differences in the steps that men and women tend to take to realize their health goals. Men have a higher tendency to turn to exercise while women are more inclined to optimize their diet, choosing to consume healthier foods to boost health.

Strong correlation between health and economic empowerment

The findings showed a strong correlation between health and economic empowerment among Vietnam consumers. Individuals who feel highly empowered to make decisions that improve their economic well-being (99%) are more likely to report higher levels of health empowerment (89%) in tandem.

By Vietnam Business Forum