Examining and Supporting Expat Mental Wellbeing

Mental health concerns among expatriates are escalating rapidly. According to AXA – Global Healthcare’s latest Mind Health Report, 80% of expat employees are experiencing negative mental health symptoms related to their working environment. Conducted across 16 countries with over 1,450 non-native professionals, the study reveals:

• 49% report job-related burnout
• 54% have trouble sleeping
• 53% experience loss of interest in usual activities
• 48% feel worthless or suffer from low confidence
• 37% face appetite or eating issues

Worryingly, these rates have risen 10% since 2022. At the same time, fewer expats are seeking help, with a 9% decline in professional support use. Instead, many are self-managing symptoms with limited success. Non-native employees are also more likely than their local counterparts to take mental health-related sick leave and to attribute their challenges directly to their work setting.

This trend has serious implications for assignment success, talent retention, and employer duty of care.

Why Global Mobility Must Pay Attention to Location

While the business determines where an expatriate must go based on strategic needs, global mobility professionals have a vital role to play in preparing and supporting talent for those destinations. A recent study by the Expatriate Group, The Best Cities for Expat Mental Wellbeing, evaluates how different cities support mental health through environmental and societal factors.

The research doesn’t suggest relocation teams choose cities, but it does offer guidance on what to be aware of once the location is set. The study assessed 40 cities on key wellbeing indicators: sunshine hours, fitness facilities, sleep quality, green space, work-life balance, happiness, healthcare access, and local friendliness.

Top cities for expat mental health include:

Auckland: Strong sleep quality, work-life balance, fitness access

Abu Dhabi: Highest global sunlight levels — valuable for preventing Seasonal Affective Disorder

Sydney & Buenos Aires: Exceptional fitness infrastructure for expats

Helsinki & Zurich: Ranked highest in overall happiness and public safety

Madrid & Vienna: Top-rated for expat-accessible healthcare

Understanding these kinds of benefits and stressors helps mobility teams tailor support and resources for assignees and their families.

And in case you were wondering, here are the top 20 cities globally:

Experience is Everything

Even when you can’t change the destination, you can change the experience. 

Build (or Share) Destination Profiles: Summarize key lifestyle factors and mental health considerations for each location to brief expats before departure.

Proactive Support Plans: Identify risk factors (e.g., climate, culture shock, healthcare access) and provide tailored plans, mental health services, and social integration support.

Expat Mentor Program: Consider having expats connected to other expats that have had assignments or that are on assignment to the same location to share advice for success.

Prepare Families: Include partners and children in preparation resources, because their adjustment can directly affect assignment success.

Track Satisfaction: Use pulse surveys or check-ins to monitor expat wellbeing and course-correct early.

In other words, the growing expat mental health challenge demands that global mobility teams go beyond logistics. Understanding how local conditions shape assignee wellbeing is a powerful tool to increase resilience, reduce risk, and reinforce your duty of care. Mobility teams may not decide where people go, but they do shape how supported they feel once they’re there.