Three in four expats aged between 18 and 24 are suffering with moderate to extreme levels of anxiety, stress or depression, according to findings from Axa Global Healthcare.
The insurer’s latest Mind Health Report found more than two thirds of both 18-24-year-olds and 25-34-year-olds (74% and 67% respectively) were shown to be suffering from moderate to extremely severe levels of anxiety, stress or depression, according to the depression anxiety and stress scale (DASS).
It found 83% of expats overall were experiencing negative mental health symptoms as a direct result of their working environment, 4% higher than in 2024, and 4% higher than their native colleagues.
The report is based on findings from an Ipsos survey, conducted across 16 countries with more than 1,400 expat participants aged 18 to 75.
The 16 countries include UK, Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey and the US.
Negative news
Looking at younger age groups in particular, the report found 47% of younger adult expats were struggling with constant exposure to negative news in the media.
Just over half (51%) said social media and digital devices were the most prominent factor negatively affecting their mental health.
Younger adult expats were also found to be twice as likely to report moderate to severe depression, stress, or anxiety, than their over 55’s counterparts – 70% vs 35%.
Specifically, 68% of younger expats aged 18-to-34-years-old reported moderate to severe stress levels in the past 12 months, compared to just 33% of over-55s.
Around the same number (66%) reported they would use, or had already used AI virtual therapists for mind health support.
Four in 10 (40%) said they used social media for mental health information, compared with 14% of older adults, while a similar number (41%) of younger adult expats turn to healthcare professionals such as GPs, compared to 57% of older adults
However, younger expats were 33% more likely to see a psychiatrist or specialist than they were in 2023, showing overall growth in medicating specifically against mental health issues.
Clear generational divide
Xavier Lestrade, CEO of Axa Health International (pictured), which operates the Axa Global Healthcare brand, said: “The findings reveal a clear generational divide in how expats experience and manage their mental wellbeing.
“Younger adults are far more open in acknowledging challenges and seeking support, while older generations often report fewer issues and tend to rely on more traditional pathways.
“Both approaches have their strengths – whether it’s the resilience and perspective of older adults, or the proactive attitude of younger people towards managing their wellbeing. There’s a real opportunity here for generations to learn from one another.”
Commenting on the wider findings across all age groups, Lestrade added: “In addition to finding an overall increase in workplace struggle among all respondents, the report also highlights the disproportionate adversity faced by non-natives, with a greater percentage of them struggling in the workplace than their native employees.
“This underlines the importance of employers and healthcare providers recognising the unique pressure expats face – and shows the importance of our work in providing expats with access to resources that help to mitigate these pressures, whether that’s expert clinical care, preventative support, or digital tools to fit their needs.”