It might seem like a glamourous lifestyle but almost half of globally mobile workers are lonely and facing financial stress, with expats in the UK identified as the world’s loneliest and least supported, a comprehensive new international study has revealed.
Research from healthcare firm Cigna found that 48% of globally mobile professionals — workers who relocate abroad for career opportunities — struggle significantly with loneliness and isolation. Among this group, those based in the UK report particularly low levels of overall wellbeing, trailing behind international averages across nearly all measures of health, happiness and satisfaction.
The study, conducted in collaboration with pollster YouGov, surveyed more than 10,000 respondents in 11 territories including the UK, US, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, UAE, Kenya and Singapore. It revealed a stark paradox at the heart of expat life: while globally mobile workers often experience greater career vitality and opportunities, their relocation frequently results in increased stress, isolation and financial pressure.
UK Expats Hit Hardest by Wellbeing Challenges
For UK-based expats, the situation is particularly dire. Only 43% of these workers rated their overall wellbeing positively, significantly lower than the global average of 57%. UK expats were found to suffer considerably lower physical, mental, social, spiritual, occupational and financial wellbeing compared to counterparts in other countries and even compared to local UK residents.
Notably, financial stress emerged as a central concern for UK-based expats, with fewer than a third rating their financial well-being as “excellent” or “very good”. Rising living costs, cited by 43%, and uncertainty about their future, affecting more than half (51%), have added significant strain to daily life and negatively influenced their capacity to prioritise health and wellness.
Wendy Sherry, CEO of Global Health Benefits at Cigna, described the findings as evidence of a hidden personal cost of global mobility.
“For many hundreds of thousands around the world, receiving an exciting out-of-country assignment in a new environment is often overshadowed by the stress of financial pressures and social isolation,” Sherry said. She cautioned that such stressors, if not addressed adequately, could impact both the health of individuals and their productivity in the workplace.
Employers Urged to Increase Expat Support
The research also highlighted a widespread feeling among UK expats that employers are not providing adequate support. Approximately half of respondents said they needed more assistance before or during relocation, particularly regarding employment opportunities and housing arrangements. This lack of comprehensive employer support may compound the isolation experienced by these professionals, worsening their overall quality of life abroad.
Sherry said organisations must take action to bridge these critical gaps in support. She called on employers to foster cultures of vitality, implement holistic healthcare solutions and ensure globally mobile employees have access to crucial services, including financial education programmes, mental health support and Employee Assistance Programmes.
“Increasingly, the global workforce is looking to their employers to be there for them at the moments that matter, and employers have a critical role to play in supporting their globally mobile workforce,” she said.
Global Mobility Remains Popular
Despite the figures, globally mobile workers generally still perceive their overseas experiences positively. A totoal of 78% of UK expats surveyed still considered their relocation successful overall, indicating a resilience and commitment to their international careers. And more than half (53%) intend to remain globally mobile in the upcoming year, demonstrating an enduring attraction to the professional and personal opportunities offered by global mobility.
But the optimism only underscores the urgency of addressing underlying problems of loneliness, isolation and financial strain. The findings provide a crucial insight for businesses that rely on a globally mobile workforce, showing that effective support strategies can greatly benefit both employees’ wellbeing and companies’ productivity.