What is wellness?

And what does it mean to expats?

A lot has been written about family wellness and how to achieve it. But is the concept of wellness and achieving it the same for people from around the world? Especially if they live away from home?

We spoke to 32 families from around the world, who live abroad, to tell the stories behind the statistics and find out what factors are important to a family’s wellness when living away from home.

Origins and destinations

We spoke to expat families of different nationalities living in a variety of countries.

50.5 million expats worldwide*

That’s more than the population of Canada, Spain or Colombia.

*According to Finaccord:
www.finaccord.com/documents/rp_2013/report_prospectus_global_expatriates_size_
segmentation_forecasts_worldwide_market.pdf

What do expats do?

• 13% remaining expat groups
• 1% corporate transferees
• 4% retired expats
• 9% students
• 74% individual workers

Source: The Braun Foundation

What’s influencing expat wellness?

Our expats said:

• Diet and fitness
• Mental health
• Mindfulness and spirituality
• Safety and security
• Family and friends
• Weather and climate
• Culture
• Quality of life
• Health

“It includes mental, physical health and your finances. My whole total being” — Godwin family (Americans in Nigeria)

“Wellness is being healthy, in a state of calmness, no stress and good food” — Nizar family (Sri Lankans in Singapore)

“Wellness means happiness. Achieving self-actualization. Doing what fulfills you” — Brown family (Finns in Singapore)

Examining the roles

Weather and climate

“We live outside. The kids can run and hike and swim until 9pm or later and it makes such a difference to us as family” — Mortleman family (Australians in Spain)

Best climate for expats*

1. Ecuador
2. Colombia
3. Mexico
4. Panama
5. Spain

*According to International Living’s 2017 Global Retirement Index

Culture

Top 10 most common expat problems*

1. Missing friends and family
2. I don’t like being financially dependent on my partner
3. Worried about future finances
4. I still need to adjust to work environment
5. No professional network
6. Loss in personal income
7. Trouble making friends
8. Culture shock
9. Tired of expat life
10. Language barrier

*Source InterNations 2016

10 greatest opportunities of living abroad

1. Character building: horizon broadening, confidence building
2. CV enhancing
3. Learn a new culture
4. Taste changing
5. Rewarding
6. Learn a language
7. Further travel opportunities
8. International connections and new friends
9. Improved climate
10. Increased employment opportunities

See bottom for source

“I love being able to immerse yourself fully into the culture. Whenever friends come to visit there’s always something new to do and explore” — Shiroi family (Brits in Hong Kong).

Quality of life abroad

52% expats agree that their quality of life improved since moving

61% say they are integrating well with the local people and culture*

*According to HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2016

“We do so much more together now and lean on each other because the usual support and the rest of family isn’t there” — Mortleman family (Australians in Spain).

About this study

What Is Wellness? Expat Family Health & Wellness Survey 2018 is an independent consumer research study into global expat views, commissioned by Aetna International and carried out by ID Insight Consulting. Interviews were conducted with 32 families by phone or Skype in August 2017. An expat is defined as an adult over the age of 18 years old who is currently living away from their country of origin or ‘home country’.

https://www.aetnainternational.com/en/about-us/explore/health-care/lifestyle-better-health/what-is-wellness-2018.html

The information included in this communication is provided for information purposes only and it is not intended to constitute professional advice or replace consultation with a qualified medical practitioner.

 Notice to UK residents: In the United Kingdom, Aetna Insurance Company Limited (FRN 458505) has issued and approved this communication.

Notice to all: Please visit http://www.aetnainternational.com/ai/en/about-us/legal/regional-entities for more information, including a list of relevant entities permitted to carry on or administer insurance business in their respective jurisdictions.

 Aetna does not diagnose, provide care or guarantee access to health services. Not all health services are covered, and coverage is subject to applicable laws and regulations, including economic and trade sanctions, and the terms and conditions of the relevant plan documents.

 Aetna^® is a trademark of Aetna Inc. and is protected throughout the world by trademark registrations and treaties.

Sources of stats:

52% expats agree that... | 61% say they are integrating well...

www.expatexplorer.hsbc.com/survey/files/pdfs/overallreports/2016/
HSBC_Expat_Explorer_2016_report.pdf

50.5 million expats worldwide | What do expats do?

http://www.finaccord.com/documents/press%20mentions/2014/total-number-of-expatriates-worldwide-amounted-to-over-50-million-in-2013_india-info-line-news-service_january-2014.pdf

Top 10 most common expat problems

https://inassets1-internationsgmbh.netdna-ssl.com/static/bundles/internationsexpatinsider/pdf/ expat_insider_2016_the_internations_survey.pdf

Best climate:

https://internationalliving.com/worldsbest-climate-top-5-countries/

10 greatest opportunities of living abroad, sourced from:

• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/before-yougo/11570655/Five-reasons-why-everyone-should-liveabroad-at-least-once.html
• http://www.livelifewithaview.com/empowering-expatliving-abroad/
• https://gringosabroad.com/reasons-to-live-abroad/