AXA “World of Work 2025” Report: What Employers Need to Know About the Changing Needs of Globally Mobile Staff
AXA Global Healthcare’s World of Work 2025 report provides one of the most comprehensive looks at how international employees are thinking, feeling and behaving as global mobility undergoes major change. The findings highlight a reality that many multinational employers are already experiencing: assignment costs are rising, employee needs are evolving, and expectations around mental health and family support are higher than ever.
Below is a summary of the report’s key findings, followed by practical implications for employers and HR leaders.
Key Findings from AXA’s World of Work 2025 Report
Assignment costs have increased sharply
AXA reports a 58% increase in the total cost of international assignments over the past 8 years. The drivers include higher travel costs, rising medical costs, family-related expenditures, and increased expectations around support provided by employers.
Mental health is now a core expat concern
Anxiety, burnout and stress were identified as major challenges among globally mobile employees. AXA highlights that mental health is no longer a secondary concern but a primary determinant of assignment success. Employees increasingly expect accessible, confidential and culturally appropriate mental health support.
Family wellbeing is a major success factor for assignments
The report stresses that family support is now one of the strongest predictors of whether an international assignment succeeds or fails. AXA notes that spouses and children often face greater adjustment challenges than the employee themselves, increasing the need for:
- Family counselling
- Mental health services for dependants
- Schooling guidance and transition support
- Cultural and integration support
Younger employees have different expectations
AXA notes that Gen Z and millennial assignees expect “holistic” support rather than just traditional insurance coverage. This includes proactive wellbeing services, digital mental health tools, seamless telehealth access, and employer commitment to psychological safety.
Health insurance gaps create assignment risk
AXA highlights that misunderstandings around coverage, limitations, pre-authorization requirements and geographic exclusions remain one of the most common sources of distress for mobile staff. Employees want clarity, predictability and simple access to care.
Employers underestimate the emotional stress of globally mobile work
The report notes a significant disconnect: while employees report very high stress levels, many employers underestimate the mental and emotional impact of relocation, separation from community support networks, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
Digital health and virtual support are increasingly essential
AXA observes sustained high usage of:
- Telehealth GP consultations
- Online mental health counselling
- Digital wellbeing platforms
- 24/7 multilingual support lines
Demand for these services grew post-pandemic and continues to rise.
Implications for Employers and HR Leaders
Based on AXA’s findings, several clear themes emerge for employers managing international staff.
Mental health support must expand beyond traditional EAPs
Employees want mental health support that is:
- Immediate
- Confidential
- Accessible internationally
- Culturally relevant
- Available to dependants
Plans that rely solely on local networks, employee assistance programs (EAPs) or in-person therapy alone are increasingly seen as insufficient.
Family-centred benefits are becoming a strategic necessity
AXA’s data shows that assignment success is closely tied to:
- Partner and child wellbeing
- Ease of settling into a new location
- Access to care for dependants
Employers that overlook family needs face higher failure rates and lower retention.
The cost of assignments is rising, and unmanaged medical benefits are a major contributor
To control rising assignment costs, employers should:
- Use telehealth pathways as a default entry point
- Steer employees to the most appropriate facilities
- Promote insurer value-added services that reduce out-patient utilisation
- Monitor claims data monthly to identify spikes early
Communication gaps create major employee stress
AXA emphasises that many problems arise not from lack of coverage but lack of understanding. HR teams need strong communication support to ensure staff know:
- What is covered
- How to access care
- Who to contact
- How to navigate emergencies
- What regional exclusions or limitations may apply
Younger expats expect digital-first healthcare
Employees increasingly expect:
- Telehealth-first models
- Digital claims submission
- On-demand counselling
- Remote second-opinion services
- Pharmacy delivery
Plans that do not offer these features risk being perceived as outdated.
How One World Cover Supports Employers in This Environment
Our approach directly aligns with the challenges outlined in AXA’s World of Work 2025 report.
We help employers:
- Strengthen mental health pathways with global teletherapy and psychiatry access
- Support families with clear guidance, care navigation and 24/7 multilingual help
- Reduce assignment costs through data-driven utilisation management
- Improve employee experience through insurer communication campaigns
- Ensure clarity with onboarding packs, medical access guides and emergency protocols
- Leverage value-added insurer services already included in premiums
Our goal is to ensure every globally mobile employee – and their family – feels supported, protected and confident throughout their assignment.
To learn more please get in touch: [email protected] or click here to contact us.
