Investments

Asia Pacific Sees Strongest Candidate Growth in CFA® Level 1 Exam

APAC candidate numbers up 25%, driven by China

CFA Institute announced a 14 percent global increase in the number of candidates who took the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level I exam in December 2017. This growth was driven by an increase in candidates from the Asia Pacific region. The number of APAC candidates was up by 25 percent versus last year at the same time. Within the region, candidate growth was driven by Mainland China, where the number of candidates increased by more than 38 percent compared to 2016.

In total, 56 percent of global CFA Program candidates are from Asia Pacific. A growing number of women and students fueled growth in Asia Pacific in fiscal 2017 with women accounting for 41% of candidate registrations (versus 35% globally) and students accounting for 28% percent of candidates (versus 24% globally). Candidate growth was also notable in India where candidates increased by 20 percent compared to 2016.

Forty three percent of the 68,086 candidates who took the Level I exam in December 2017 have passed. These successful candidates now progress to Level II of the CFA Program, the second of three steps toward earning the CFA® charter, one of the most respected and recognized investment management credentials in the world.

“CFA Institute is committed to raising professionalism in the investment management industry, and the CFA Program lays a solid foundation by instilling the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence in candidates worldwide,” said Paul Smith, CFA, president and CEO of CFA Institute. “Congratulations to our successful Level I candidates, who are one step closer to becoming CFA charterholders and joining us in our mission to build a better world for investors.”