Globally mobile employees in Singapore experiencing lower vitality compared to global average

As the nature of work continues to evolve, our workforces may increasingly comprise of globally mobile individuals; emphasising the importance of understanding their well-being. Our International Health Study 2024 examines the health and vitality of globally mobile employees across the globe.

As the nature of work continues to evolve, our workforces may increasingly comprise of globally mobile individuals, that is: expatriate employees who have moved overseas for work.

These individuals tend to demonstrate great resilience: from adapting to new cultures, to managing demanding careers, to building lives far away from their home. Our International Health Study 2024 examines the health and vitality of globally mobile employees across the globe, to see how their well-being is faring.

Key insights on expatriate employees in Singapore include:

• On average, the well-being of the globally mobile in Singapore has improved – however, it still lags behind the global average.
• Financial strain is the top challenge faced by globally mobile across markets. In Singapore, this is more pronounced, with expatriate employees also facing difficulties maintaining a work-life balance and meeting work-related challenges.
• In Singapore, despite the above challenges, the globally mobile individuals are more likely to continue living and working overseas in the coming months.

As economic conditions tighten, we can see a shift in the priorities of globally mobile employees: from the need for social well-being reflected in the previous year’s study to the emphasis on financial security in the latest study. As such, employers must recognise and address these growing pressures to ensure their globally mobile workforce can thrive. 

Raymond Ng, CEO and Country Manager of Cigna Healthcare Singapore and Australia: “Singapore continues to be an important destination for globally mobile talent – but with growing pressures around work-life balance and financial well-being, it’s critical that employers adapt. Supporting the holistic health of globally mobile employees is essential to attracting and retaining the skilled talent businesses need to grow in a competitive market.”

Read the full report on employees across the globe here, or get the Singapore-specific factsheet.