Half of globally mobile workers report being lonely in their new location but those who work in the UK are the loneliest.
A survey from Cigna Healthcare International Health also found that UK-based expats had significantly lower wellbeing than overall and than UK locals.
Overall, nearly half (48%) of globally mobile workers said they were lonely and lacking companionship in their new city or country.
Financial stress was a major concern, with fewer than a third of globally mobile individuals rating their financial wellbeing as excellent or very good.
The research quizzed 10,000 respondents in 11 markets – the US, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Kenya, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Hong Kong – with 1,840 being globally mobile workers.
UK-based expats reported significantly lower overall wellbeing than the global average with a score of 43% compared to 57% globally, which was also lower than UK locals.
This group also trailed in most wellbeing categories, including overall physical, mental, social, spiritual, work, and financial compared to the global average.
The study also found that the cost of living (43%) and uncertainty about the future (51%) were significant stressors for UK expats and could impact their ability to prioritise healthcare.
And about half of UK expats wanted more support before or during their relocation, particularly employment and housing assistance.
However, despite the loneliness and financial stressors, 78% of UK-based expats considered their relocation successful and 53% planned to remain globally mobile for the next year.
Wendy Sherry, CEO of global health benefits, international health at Cigna Healthcare, said: “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.
“While most expats view their relocation as successful, these stressors can negatively impact their overall wellbeing and productivity while on assignment.”
Sherry added that increasingly, the global workforce was looking to employers and that employers had a critical role to play in supporting their globally mobile workforce.
