Almost 9 in 10 expats are suffering from stress, with more than a third reporting the cost-of-living crisis to be the biggest cause, according to a Cigna International survey.
The annual Cigna 360 Global Well-Being Survey, which included more than 3,000 expats from around the world, found that only 4 in 10 can maintain their present level of living, with 20 per cent of those polled saying they experience unmanageable stress.
The cost-of-living issue, personal finances, and future uncertainty are the three main stressors that have been reported. Over a third of people who report feeling stressed out have depression, and over 41 per cent of those people report having trouble falling asleep at night.
Cigna Europe CEO Arjan Toors: “The last few years have been especially challenging for the globally mobile. As global issues continue to hit the headlines daily, it’s no surprise that they are taking a toll on the well-being of expats.”
“The exciting globally mobile lifestyle that once appealed to so many, may have changed forever.”
Work-life balance is essential for lowering stress, however, 9 out of 10 people, or 89 per cent, work under “always-on” conditions, and more than half, or 54 per cent, work outside of normal hours at least four days each week.
More than a quarter of prospective expats think flexible hours are necessary, and 16 per cent say they want the option to work from any location in the world. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed, or 73 per cent, said they have “re-evaluated life’s objectives” since the pandemic.
Toor adds: “These figures are concerning, and it’s more important than ever that people are taking time to look after their Whole Health. They must take positive actions to reduce stress and avoid burnout. At Cigna, we have a host of products and services that allow employers to meet the needs of every type of employee, including our new mental health initiative that features a suite of new products and services designed by clinical experts.”