Methodology for Most Powerful Women Asia (2026)
Fortune’s editors scored each MPW Asia candidate on:
- Scale and performance of the business the person leads, using mid-term and recent (12-month) indicators such as revenue and profit growth, profitability, and market value.
- Innovation: Has she executed original moves competitors later followed?
- Influence: Do her decisions shape markets, agendas, or institutions beyond her remit?
- Trajectory: Where is she on the arc of her career?
- Impact: Is she using her power to drive broader positive change?
MPW Asia 2026 recognizes 100 women across 14 markets: mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, India, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Indonesia. Honorees include CEOs, chairs, and C-suite leaders at Fortune Global 500 and Fortune Southeast Asia 500 companies, regional champions, and founders of high-growth ventures; 24 are new to the list this year.
Selection is editorial and data-driven. We draw on public filings, company disclosures, independent reporting, and nominations—both internal and external. As in prior years, our evaluation emphasizes company scale and health, career momentum, influence, innovation, and contributions to social impact; final placement reflects both current clout and future trajectory.
Data editors: Charmian Choo, Nicholas Gordon, Ashleigh Nghiem, and Lucas Zhao