The report detailed findings from a study of 1,458 non-native workers across 16 countries, and found almost half had experienced burnout due to their jobs. Other symptoms reported included:  trouble sleeping, feelings of worthlessness and loss of appetite, amongst others.

Incidence within the group studied had increased 10% since 2022, however this was accompanied by a 9% decrease in the number of people seeking professional help within the cohort over the same period. 

The study also found that expats are 22% more likely to attribute mental health conditions to working factors, and that 27% of non-native employees had been on sick leave at least once in the past 12 months – 17% higher than sickness rates amongst their native peers.

These findings paint a picture of a struggling non-native workforce. AXA’s report encourages employers to invest in the right support and to take proactive steps to close the mind health gap and foster healthier workforces.

Xavier Lestrade, CEO of AXA Global Healthcare, commented: “It’s a concerning trend to see that mind health among the non-native community has been worsening year-on-year. The pandemic years have impressed upon employers the need to support good health among their employees, but effective mental health support is becoming paramount for companies to create a healthy working environment.

He also commented on the role insurance policies have to play in bridging this gap: “Health insurance policies which offer dedicated mental health support in multiple languages can help businesses to bridge the wellbeing gap for their non-native workforce, ensuring that the experience of working overseas remains successful and rewarding for both individuals and businesses worldwide.”

You can read the full findings of Axa’s report here.