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Across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, workplace wellbeing is evolving in quieter, more complex ways than in other parts of the world.
While regions like Latin America (LATAM) and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) report sharp increases in health culture adoption, APAC’s progress is shaped by unique challenges, cross-border workforces, rising mental health concerns and shifting expectations around support.
In the fifth article in UnitedHealthcare Global’s series exploring insights from Optum’s Wellbeing in the Workplace survey, we examine APAC’s wellbeing paradox: a region where employee need and programme engagement are high, yet access to support remains surprisingly limited.
Mental health: The most urgent need
Mental and emotional wellbeing is the top concern across APAC.
Burnout, financial insecurity, and the pressures of remote and cross-border work have created a region-wide strain. According to the survey, 82% of workers fall into a moderate to high mental risk profile, and 45% say their mental health negatively impacts their productivity.
Employee assistance programmes (EAP) are the most-used wellbeing service in APAC, with 40% of employees engaging with them, higher than any other region. Yet only 25% of employers offer an EAP, down from 48% in 2022. This disconnect between demand and availability is stark.
Encouragingly, nearly half of APAC employers who don’t currently offer an EAP plan to implement them. However, with mental health challenges escalating, the urgency to act is clear. Employers must move beyond intention and invest in infrastructure that meets employees where they are.
Cross-border workforces: A new challenge
One factor complicating wellbeing delivery in APAC is the rise of cross-border employment.
In 2024, 34% of APAC employees worked outside their home country – up from 24% the previous year. This trend, driven by talent shortages in markets like Japan, India, and Singapore, is creating new barriers to access.
Nearly twice as many APAC companies now offer fewer health and wellbeing programmes to employees working abroad than last year. This lack of global consistency is a growing concern.
When asked to identify the most important features of employee health services, APAC employers ranked “…equal access regardless of location” as a top priority yet many are still falling short.
Participation is strong when programmes exist
Despite access challenges, APAC employees are highly engaged when programmes are available.
EAP, stress reduction initiatives and wellness coaching all show strong participation rates. Stress and mental health are the most addressed topics by wellness coaches in the region, with 82% of employers including them in their coaching programmes.
This suggests that when employers invest in relevant, targeted support, employees respond positively. The opportunity lies in scaling these offerings to meet growing demand.
Digital engagement: Underused potential
Globally, digital tools like mobile apps and social platforms are becoming central to wellbeing strategies.
In APAC, however, adoption is slower. While email and onsite meetings remain the most effective engagement channels, mobile apps and digital hubs are underutilised compared to other regions.
Given APAC’s high mobile penetration and tech-savvy workforce, this represents a missed opportunity. Employers who embrace digital engagement could dramatically expand access and personalise support – especially for remote and cross-border employees.
Building a culture of health ownership
Establishing a culture of health ownership where employees feel empowered to manage their wellbeing is a key goal for employers worldwide.
In APAC, 68% of companies report success in building such a culture, down slightly from 74% last year. While not statistically significant, the decline contrasts with upward trends in EMEA, LATAM and the U.S.
To reverse this, APAC employers would benefit by addressing the access gap, invest in mental health infrastructure and ensure consistency across borders. The foundation is already there: high engagement, strong coaching programmes and a growing awareness of employee needs.
By expanding access to mental health support, embracing digital solutions and ensuring global consistency, APAC organisations can turn a wellbeing paradox into a wellbeing breakthrough.
Read the latest news, expertise and thought leadership from UnitedHealthcare Global – here.
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Source:
8th annual Wellbeing in the Workplace survey from Optum
