International Health Study 2026: Global Mobility, Stress & Well‑Being

Globally mobile individuals display strong vitality and well-being compared to the general population, while also facing distinct challenges related to stress, belonging, and unfamiliar health care systems.

Globally mobile individuals report strong well-being—but stress, loneliness, and access gaps signal the need for better support

• Eight in 10 globally mobile individuals report feeling stressed, and one in two feel lonely
• Nearly three quarters want more relocation support; delays in care affect health and work–life balance
• Despite these challenges, globally mobile individuals report a higher average vitality score than the overall population

Hong Kong, 25 March 2026 - Globally mobile individuals display strong well-being compared to the general population, while also facing distinct challenges related to stress, belonging, and unfamiliar health care systems - underscoring the importance of timely, people-centered support.

The Cigna Healthcare International Health Study: 2026 Globally Mobile Edition, released today with survey results from more than 11,000 respondents including more than 1,900 globally mobile individuals across 13 markets, reveals acute stress, feelings of loneliness, demand for greater relocation support, and challenges in accessing health care among this distinctive segment of the global workforce.

Jason Sadler, President, International Health at Cigna Healthcare, said: “Living and working abroad has shaped how I approach leadership. I’ve seen first-hand how the right support can determine whether a globally mobile employee merely copes or truly thrives. When organizations invest in meaningful preparation, accessible care, and a sense of belonging, they create the conditions for people to thrive—professionally and personally—wherever their work takes them.”

Healthier overall, despite struggles with stress and belonging

Globally mobile individuals report an average vitality score of 68.9 in 2025, significantly higher than the overall survey population (63.2). They also consistently score higher across all well-being pillars than the overall population, with the greatest difference seen in physical (57% of globally mobile rating as “excellent” or “very good” vs 40% of the overall population), spiritual (54% vs 38%), and mental well-being (56% vs 43%).

Despite stronger well-being overall, globally mobile individuals are more likely to feel stressed, with 80% reporting stress compared to 75% of general population respondents. While the key drivers of stress—personal finance (39%), cost of living (38%), and family finances (37%)—mirror top stressors among the overall population, globally mobile individuals often experience stress more acutely due to challenges such as navigating new environments and lacking established community support.

Over half (58%) of surveyed globally mobile respondents report feelings of loneliness or social exclusion, often amplified by homesickness and the loss of familiar routines. 

Demand for better relocation support and access to care

Close to three-quarters (73%) of globally mobile respondents wish they had more pre‑move support for their overseas assignments, and 76% encountered at least one challenge preventing them from thriving in their current country. Addressing these challenges early, particularly during relocation, can reduce uncertainty and improve readiness in new environments.

Barriers to accessing care within unfamiliar health care systems represent another significant challenge. More than half of globally mobile employees say their health (55%) or work-life balance (51%) was impacted due to delays in care and waiting times.

Employers can play a pivotal role in reducing these delays by offering clear cross‑border care navigation, straightforward guidance on coverage and care pathways, access to remote care, and culturally responsive virtual and mental health support.

Reducing friction in access to care can help protect the day-to-day functioning and overall well-being of employees. By improving access and support, organizations can help ensure globally mobile employees are supported as individuals—so their health, vitality, and contributions are sustained over time.

About the Cigna Healthcare International Health Study

Cigna Healthcare surveyed more than 11,000 respondents in 13 markets – the US, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Kenya, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the Hong Kong SAR, Japan, and South Korea in May 2025, in collaboration with YouGov – a global public opinion and data company. The nationally representative online survey assessed the health, vitality and well-being of more than 1,000 adults (aged 18 years and older) in each of the markets – the US, UK, Spain, UAE, Singapore, the Hong Kong SAR, Japan, and South Korea, and more than 500 adults per market in Kenya, Belgium, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.

The Evernorth Vitality Index^© and Well-Being Index

The Evernorth Vitality Index^© (EVI) has been developed in partnership with leading clinical psychologist and author Dr. Richard Ryan and it gives a comprehensive measure of people’s capacity to pursue life with health, strength, and energy. This is closely aligned with our mission to improve the health and vitality of those we serve around the world. We asked a series of questions to gauge respondents’ sense of social, occupational, financial, intellectual, physical, spiritual/purpose, emotional, and environmental well-being.

Respondents were also asked to rate their well-being across seven pillars: family, financial, mental, physical, social, spiritual, work well-being, and overall well-being, with ratings ranging from “poor”, “fair”, and “good” to “very good” and “excellent”.

About Cigna Healthcare

Cigna Healthcare is a health benefits provider that advocates for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the health care system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality. Products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI), including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Evernorth Health companies or their affiliates and Express Scripts companies or their affiliates. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and others.

Learn more at www.cignahealthcare.com