Nairobi, Kenya - Monday, 11. November 2024
- Kenya surged to 64%, significantly above the global average of 44%, driven by notable improvements across multiple health metrics.
- 57% of Kenyan employees felt that their managers care about their mental wellbeing, the highest percentage in the MEA region.
- Financial stress emerged as a critical issue, with 65% of respondents identifying the cost of living and personal finance as their primary sources of stress.
Kenya reports high in vitality according
to the Cigna International Health Study 2024, scoring 79.4, while
overall wellbeing rose to 61 points from 50 in 2023. However, stress
remains a major issue, with 84% of employees reporting high levels of
stress, primarily due to rising living costs and financial concerns.
The
survey, which included over 10,000 participants from 11 global markets,
assessed wellbeing across eight factors: emotional, environmental,
financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual.
In Kenya, physical wellbeing improved significantly to 64%, up 15 points
from last year, while spiritual wellbeing also rose by 5 points.
Financial
stress emerged as a critical issue, with 65% of respondents identifying
the cost of living and personal finance as their primary sources of
stress. Only 17% expressed positive financial wellbeing. Women reported
higher stress levels (87%) than men (81%), revealing gender disparities
in wellbeing.
Despite these challenges, 57% of Kenyan employees
felt that their managers genuinely care about their mental wellbeing,
the highest percentage in the MEA region. Family and community support
remain crucial in building resilience, with 79% of employees feeling
supported by their families.
Leah Cotterill, CEO, Cigna
Healthcare Middle East & Africa (outside KSA), underlined: “This
year’s Cigna International Health Study highlights the resilience and
strength of the Kenyan workforce. On the one hand, it saw high vitality
and physical wellbeing scores while on the other, stress and mental
wellbeing challenges continue to persist as a pressing issue. This is a
wake-up call to employers to start prioritizing future-focused
workplaces that eliminate financial barriers to healthcare while
investing in community support systems and mental health support, to
mitigate the effects of stress.”
Key Findings of the Cigna International Health Study [Kenya Edition]
Vitality and Wellbeing: Kenya Vitality scored 79.4 points, down
marginally from last year’s 79.9 points, and correspondingly, registered
high levels of physical wellbeing – 64%, an increase of 15 points over
2023.
Mental Wellbeing: Mental wellbeing challenges continue
to contribute to declining productivity. Mental wellbeing remains a
concern, with a score of 54% for 2024. Women have lower mental wellbeing
score compared to men. Financial pressures have led to 51% of
responders experiencing sleep disruptions.
Workplace
Wellbeing and Stress: Workplace wellbeing continues to present a
challenge for employees in Kenya who scored 44% in 2024, up three points
from last year. Working women (89%) are more stressed than working men
(81%). While stress among working men has declined by 13 points from the
previous year, the drop was less significant in working women (down by
six points). On the positive front, 57% of Kenyan employees feel their
managers genuinely care for their mental health and wellbeing – the
highest in the region.
Physical Wellbeing: Kenya surged to
64%, significantly above the global average of 44%, driven by notable
improvements across multiple health metrics. Kenyan employees reported a
healthy weight score of 53 (vs. global average of 36%), a balanced diet
scire of 49 (vs. global average of 35) and good quality sleep (vs.
global average of 34%). Notably, physical health among women improved by
19% over the last year, with young adults ages 18-24 showing the
greater benefits from these wellness efforts.
Financial
Wellbeing: Financial stress is the leading cause of stress, and high
living costs are making it increasingly difficult for individuals to
maintain a healthy lifestyle. Only 17% of Kenyan employees are positive
about their financial wellbeing. Approximately 65% of respondents cited
the cost of living and financial insecurity as their main sources of
stress.
Growing Loneliness: While families remain close and
contribute significantly to strengthening overall resilience, loneliness
is continuing to erode wellbeing. Some 43% of respondent’s report
cutting down on socializing while 40% reported losing interest in
personal activities as an impact of stress
Work-structure
Instability: With one of the highest rates of nonpermanent employment
globally - 23% of Kenyan employees work in nonpermanent positions –
there is a dominant feeling of instability and dissatisfaction in the
workplace. Only 46% of Kenyan employees expressed satisfaction with
their jobs, well below the global average.
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Contacts
Khalid Yahya
Account Director
APCO Worldwide
Tel: +971.52.863.1680
Email: kyahya@apcoworldwide.com
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