The Board of AIA Group Limited (the "Company"; stock code: 1299) is pleased to announce the Group's financial results for the year ended 31 December 2022.

 

Growth rates are shown on a constant exchange rate basis:

 

 

"Our resilient financial results in an unprecedented market environment demonstrate the strengths of AIA's robust operating model, which is built on our differentiated distribution and personalised propositions. New business momentum improved strongly in the second half of 2022 as the effects of the initial Omicron wave subsided and normal activities resumed. While VONB of US$3,092 million was lower by 5 per cent for the full year, we delivered 6 per cent growth in the second half with all five of our largest operating segments achieving positive VONB growth.

 

"Our consistent financial discipline and focus on growing AIA's high-quality in-force business supported an increase in both OPAT and UFSG⁽¹⁾. The Group's financial position remained very strong despite significant capital market volatility in 2022, with free surplus increasing to US$23.7 billion before capital returns to shareholders and a Group LCSM cover ratio⁽²⁾ of 283 per cent. EV Equity increased by 6 per cent in 2022 to US$77.0 billion before the return of US$5.8 billion to shareholders through the share buy-back programme and dividends.

 

"The Board has recommended a final dividend of 113.40 Hong Kong cents per share which brings the total dividend to 153.68 Hong Kong cents per share, up 5.3 per cent. This follows AIA's established prudent, sustainable and progressive dividend policy, allowing for future growth opportunities and the financial flexibility of the Group.

 

"AIA China returned to positive growth in the second half of 2022 with VONB up by 3 per cent. VONB was lower in the first half compared with the record result in 2021, as most of our geographies were subject to stringent pandemic movement restrictions. In the second half, VONB recovered strongly with double-digit year-on-year growth up to the end of November before the rapid increase in COVID-19 infections in December disrupted new business sales activities. Following the reopening of Mainland China, we have seen our new business momentum recover swiftly and return to positive VONB growth in the first two months of 2023.

 

"We continue to execute AIA China's expansion strategy, capturing new growth opportunities by replicating our high-quality differentiated Premier Agency in new geographies and deepening our presence within our existing footprint. We made excellent progress with 50 per cent growth in agency VONB and 31 per cent increase in the number of active agents in Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Sichuan and Hubei. In January 2022, we launched an additional operation in Hubei and we are also at an advanced stage in preparing for our new provincial branch in Henan. AIA China's new bancassurance partnership with the Postal Savings Bank of China continued to make good progress.

 

"AIA Hong Kong recorded an increase in VONB of 4 per cent in 2022, supported by growth in both our agency and partnership channels. Our Macau branch continued to benefit from the resumption of the Individual Visit Scheme with Mainland China. VONB from sales to Mainland Chinese visitors tripled in 2022, accounting for just over 10 per cent of total VONB of AIA Hong Kong for the year, and strong momentum has continued into the first two months of 2023.

 

"AIA Thailand delivered 5 per cent growth in VONB for the full year, supported by 19 per cent growth in the second half of 2022. We saw higher sales activity levels in both agency and bancassurance channels as new business momentum returned in the second half. Our agency remained the market leader in 2022 and we achieved very strong recruitment, contributing to an increase in the number of active agents compared with 2021.

 

"AIA Singapore reported higher VONB for 2022 as the 7 per cent VONB growth in the second half more than offset the first half performance, reflecting a recovery in sales momentum. AIA Malaysia delivered 15 per cent VONB growth for 2022 with year-on-year growth of 26 per cent in the second half of the year. Our very strong performances from both agency and partnership distribution channels were supported by the adoption of digital tools and the generation of new digital leads.

 

"VONB of our Other Markets segment was lower by 12 per cent for 2022 as strong double-digit growth in India, New Zealand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Taiwan (China) in the second half was offset by a decline mainly in Australia, South Korea and Vietnam. Tata AIA Life, our joint venture in India, delivered 52 per cent VONB growth across all distribution channels and ranked as the number three private life insurer in the country as at the end of December 2022.

 

"As our markets recover rapidly from the effects of the pandemic, the resilience and professionalism of our agents ensure that our Premier Agency is in a prime position to capitalise on the substantial growth opportunities ahead. In the second half of the year, our agency business regained strong momentum with 8 per cent growth in VONB supported by higher active agent productivity and an increase in the total number of agents compared with 2021.

 

"In 2022, AIA's long-term strategic partnerships with leading banks generated a 10 per cent increase in bancassurance VONB, driven by growth from Public Bank in Malaysia, Bank Central Asia in Indonesia, ASB Bank in New Zealand and across all key domestic partnerships in India. The Bank of East Asia in Hong Kong and Mainland China delivered excellent VONB growth in 2022. Overall our partnership distribution delivered positive VONB growth for the year.

 

"I am pleased to see the accelerated delivery of our key strategic priorities in 2022, enabled by our significant investments in technology, digital and analytics (TDA), has supported increased distribution productivity, enhanced customer experience and more personalised propositions for consumers. We have an unrelenting focus on leveraging our substantial competitive advantages, which enable us to enhance our operations and capture new opportunities for additional growth across each of our 18 markets.

 

"AIA operates in the most attractive region in the world for life and health insurance. Now more than ever, Asian consumers are acutely aware of the importance of financial security and the need to protect the well-being of their families. I firmly believe that the long-term prospects for AIA's business remain exceptional. Our dedicated teams will continue to focus on helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives as we execute our strategic priorities to generate long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders."

 

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively "AIA" or the "Group") comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR⁽⁴⁾, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR⁽⁵⁾, and a 49 per cent joint venture in India.

 

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$303 billion as of 31 December 2022.

 

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 41 million individual policies and over 17 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

 

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code "1299" with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: "AAGIY").