In today’s global economy, international assignments are more common than ever – and so too are the challenges that come with them. While commercial growth and talent mobility remain a priority, organisations must not overlook a vital piece of the puzzle: the wellbeing of their overseas workforce. Insurers, brokers, and HR leaders must reflect on how they’re supporting expatriate employees through thoughtful, strategic employee benefits.

In this article I will explore how forward-thinking health and wellbeing packages can play a vital role in tackling the hidden stressors facing expats – and why a proactive, joined-up approach to mental health is fast becoming a business imperative.

So, what challenges are expats really facing – and how can smarter benefits focused on prevention help them stay healthy, happy, and productive abroad?

The pressures of living and working abroad
Loneliness, homesickness, culture shock, and the challenges of navigating new healthcare systems are all common experiences among expats. 

Expats and wellbeing professionals often talk about the six-month slump – a dip in morale that often strikes around the half-year mark, which can quietly lead to a reduction in productivity, engagement, and even employee retention. These issues can arise at any time. If left unaddressed, they may escalate into more serious conditions such as chronic stress or burnout.

As part of our 2024 Mind Health Report, we surveyed nearly 1,500 expats across 16 countries. The results laid bare the sobering state of mental wellbeing across the global expat community and the negative impact work can have. 

Nearly half (49%) of all survey respondents reported experiencing burnout due to their jobs – a 14% increase compared to the local population. Among those affected, only 44% had sought help from a healthcare professional. 

The evolving needs of expats
As the number of global expats grows, so too does the complexity of the challenges they face, both personally and professionally. The increasing mobility of workers across borders has created a diverse expat population, each with their own unique set of stressors and experiences. 

Many expats find themselves far from their support networks, trying to adjust to an unfamiliar healthcare system and often struggling with language barriers. These factors can make it more difficult to connect with others, build a support community, or access appropriate mental health resources. All of these challenges combine to create a unique set of pressures that can have a serious impact on an expat’s overall wellbeing, making it essential for employers and individuals alike to recognise and address the mental health needs of this growing demographic.

Nearly half (49%) of all survey respondents reported experiencing burnout due to their jobs

The role of proactive healthcare
Our research, coupled with our own experience of working with expats, clearly demonstrates that proactive support is crucial in safeguarding and managing employee mental wellbeing. Findings from our Mind Health Report point to a need for better onboarding processes, continued cultural education, and, perhaps most importantly, comprehensive, human-centred health benefits that offer more than just emergency cover. Beyond just reactive insurance, more and more expats seek more holistic packages that include mental health support, access to online GPs 24/7, and wellness initiatives designed for mobile lifestyles.

Many expats find themselves far from their support networks, trying to adjust to an unfamiliar healthcare system and often struggling with language barriers

AXA Global Healthcare’s all-in-one healthcare app has been designed to offer a solution to this, providing integrated access to policy documents, claims, and virtual care services. Users can also benefit from personalised wellbeing services, which have been carefully curated to support people’s health and wellness, no matter where they are in the world.

The app also offers access to a range of multilingual virtual healthcare services, including teleconsultations with doctors, a second medical opinion service, and mental health counselling. These give more control to expats to manage their health and wellbeing, wherever they are in the world.

Findings from our Mind Health Report point to a need for better onboarding processes, continued cultural education, and, perhaps most importantly, comprehensive, human-centred health benefits that offer more than just emergency cover

These smart benefits offer something as simple as knowing where to go when you’re not feeling yourself, physically or emotionally, and that can make all the difference. A joined-up approach between HR, insurers, and local providers ensures that the employee experience doesn’t stop at the airport gate.

As employee demand for mental health resources grows, global health insurance providers must offer wraparound prevention services that help expats thrive.  

An opportunity for insurers and employers alike
Supporting expat wellbeing isn’t just a matter of moral responsibility – it’s also a strategic advantage. With international placements representing a significant investment, insurers and employers must work collaboratively to build benefit schemes that address the real-world needs of mobile employees.

As the demand for more tailored, accessible mental health support continues to grow, holistic, digitally enabled preventative health solutions are fast becoming a competitive differentiator in the global talent marketplace.

In a post-pandemic world where wellbeing is top of mind, there has never been a better time for the insurance industry to redefine what meaningful expat support looks like