Key Takeways
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The Asia Payment Survey by Coface in Q1 2025 analyzed payment behaviors among 2,400 companies in nine Asia-Pacific markets. Average payment terms increased slightly to 65 days in 2024, while the average payment delay remained at 65 days. Notably, 49% of companies reported payment delays, with ultra-long payment delays (ULPDs) rising to 40% of firms, up from 23% in 2023, affecting mainly the wood, agro-food, and automotive sectors.
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Companies expressed concern over worsening payment behaviors, with 57% anticipating declines due to slowing demand and rising costs. Credit conditions remained tight, and payment terms were below the five-year average. Most sectors, particularly automotive, saw increases in payment terms as companies grappled with competitive pressures, hinting at a cautious approach towards cash management.
- ULPDs, defined as delays exceeding 180 days, reached a record high, particularly in China, India, Thailand, and Malaysia. This trend poses risks, as 80% of such delays often remain unpaid. The economic outlook for 2025 appears to be weakening, driven by higher tariffs and evolving trade policies, suggesting heightened uncertainty for businesses in the region.
The Asia Payment Survey, conducted by Coface in Q1 2025, provides insights into the evolution of payment behavior and credit management practices of about 2,400 companies across the Asia Pacific region. Respondents are active in nine markets (Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand) and 13 sectors.
- Average payment terms rose slightly to 65 days in 2024 from 64 in 2023
- The average payment delay was unchanged at 65 days in 2024 but the share of companies experiencing payment delays dropped to 49%.
- The share of companies reporting ultra-long payment delays (ULPDs1) exceeding 2% of annual turnover rose to a new high at 40%, up from 23% in 2023. Wood, Agro-food and Automotive reported the highest increase.
- 57% of companies expect payment behaviors to worsen in the next six months, citing slowing demand, competitive pressure, and rising costs as top risks.
- 33% of companies expected business outlook to deteriorate in 2025.
Asia-Pacific experienced a slowdown in growth in 2024 due to slow growth in global demand, rising costs and high interest environment. The record surge in ULPDs signals that companies expect to face mounting financial strain. Along with escalating tariffs, businesses are bracing for a more volatile trade and policy environment. We have revised the GDP growth forecast for Asia to 3.8% in 2025.
said Bernard Aw, Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at Coface.
Credit terms still tight and may tighten ahead
Credit conditions remained tighter in 2024 compared to before 2023. Payment terms rose from 64 days in 2023 to 65 but below the five-year average of 69 days in 2018-2022.
Ten of the 13 sectors surveyed saw their payment terms increase in 2024. The sharpest rise was recorded in the automotive sector followed by textiles and chemicals. Increasing competition in the auto market prompted dealers to be more flexible in granting credit and to use it as a competitive tool.
Looking ahead, two-thirds of companies expect shorter payment terms, reflecting caution and higher priority for cash preservation amid heightened uncertainty.
Rising concern as ultra-long payment delays hit record high
The average payment delay remained stable at 65 days, unchanged from 2023.
Transport and Automobile reported higher payment delays (respectively +2% and +1% vs 2023).
However, the share of companies reporting ULPDs – payment delays over 180 days and exceeding 2% of annual revenue – rose dramatically to a new high at 40%, up from 23% in 2023. This represent a very high risk, given that 80% of these delays have never been paid, according to Coface’s experience. Such delays were highest in China, India, Thailand and Malaysia. All 13 sectors also saw increased ULPDs, with the most notable increases in Wood (+37%), Agro-food (+20%) and Automotive (+18%).
This trend is expected to continue over the next six months as 57% of companies expected a deterioration in late payments.
Outlook: Shifting trade policies expected to impact economic sentiment
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