HealthonDemand SmarterBenefits,StrongerWorkforce HealthonDemand2025.SmarterBenefits,StrongerWorkforce. Introduction Theworldhasexperiencedprofoundchangeinrecentyears,andaswemovethrough2025,thepaceofchangeisonlyaccelerating.Alongsidegeopoliticalconflicts,tradewars,record-breakingtemperatures,extremeweathereventsandthespreadofmisinformation,employeesaregrapplingwiththechangingworldofwork,technologicaldisruptionsandtherapidadoptionofAI. 2 Inthefaceofthesechallenges,employeesareincreasinglyworriedaboutboththeirimmediateneedsandtheirlonger-termsecurity.Ourstudyfindsthatfinancialstressors—suchastheabilitytoaffordmonthlyexpenses,retirecomfortablyorbuyahome—topthelistofworkforceworries,whilenearlyhalfofemployees(45%)areextremelyorveryconcernedaboutjobsecurity. Giventhesepressures,itisnotsurprisingthatemployeesaregrowingincreasinglyworriedabouttheirhealthandprotection.SinceourlastHealthonDemandreport,thepercentage ofemployeeswhofeelphysicallyandmentallywellhasdroppedbyeightpercentagepoints,from82%in2023to74%thisyear. Employeesarefeelingcommoditized,withnearlytwoinfive(39%)believingtheyaremorereplaceableandlessvaluedthanjustfouryearsago. Source:Mercer.GlobalTalentTrends2024–2025 HealthonDemand2025.SmarterBenefits,StrongerWorkforce.3 However,whiletherestoftheworldischanging,ourstudyfindsthatoneconstantremains:benefitscontinuetoprovideemployeeswithasenseofsecurity,helpingthemtonavigatelife’schallengeswhileprovidingacompetitiveadvantagetoemployers. Employersmustbedeliberateinadaptingtheirbenefitstomeettheevolvingneedsoftoday’sworkforce,allwhilebalancingtheconstraintsoftheirbusinesses. Asthecredibilityofmanyinstitutionsdeclines,employersareuniquelypositionedtobuildonthetrustthatemployeesplaceintheirorganizations.Theycanachievethisbyprovidingaccesstohealthcare,riskprotectionandwell-beingprogramswhilealsoaddressingbroadersocietalneeds,fromreskillingtoretirementreadiness. Figure1:Themorebenefitsanemployeereceives,themorelikelytheemployeeistoreportthrivingintheirrole. 86%88% 76% 76% 79%81% 76% 71% 74% 67% 56% 59% 58% 61% 45% 46% 0benefits1-4benefits5-9benefits10+benefits Myemployercaresaboutmyhealthandwell-being Iamthrivinginmycurrentrole Ihaveastrongsenseofbelongingtomyteamororganization IamconfidentIcanaffordthehealthcaremeandmyfamilyneed Figure2:Employershaveanopportunitytoshapeaccesstohealthcare. Whodoyoutrusttoprovidetimelyaccesstoaffordable,qualityhealthcare? Global Employer Government Employer Government Employer Government Employer Employer Employer Privateprogram Employer Employer Employer Employer Government Government Government Employer Government Privateprogram Privateprogram Employer Privateprogram Employer Privateprogram Privateprogram Privateprogram Government Government Government Privateprogram Government Employer Privateprogram Employer Privateprogram Privateprogram Employer Government Privateprogram Government Privateprogram Government Government Government Employer Privateprogram Privateprogram Government Privateprogram Privateprogram Employer Privateprogram Government 1 2 3 Australia BrazilCanada CentralAmerica China Colombia HongKong India Italy Mexico MiddleEast Netherlands Philippines Singapore SpainUK USA Figuresthroughoutthisreport,unlessotherwisenoted,arefromtheHealthonDemand2025survey. HealthonDemand2025.SmarterBenefits,StrongerWorkforce.4 Giventhisopportunitytoenhancetrustandpromoteprosperity,growth,protectionandconnection,employers shouldrefinetheirapproachtoinvestinginhumancapitalandactivelyengage Figure3:Creatingpositivechangeisajointeffort. EmployeeEmployer withemployees.Todrivelastingpositivechange,itisessentialtoestablisha truepartnershipbetweenemployeesandemployers. OurHealthonDemand2025studyisdesignedtohelpemployersoptimizetheirinvestmentinthehealthandwell-beingoftheirworkforce.Thisreportwillguideyouthroughthechallengesandneedsexpressedbyemployees,offeringinsightstohelpyouevolveyourstrategyandaddresssixnewrecommendationsforbenefits. Advancingpersonalwell-being (physical,mental,financial, socialandcareer) Voicingconcerns andneeds Engagingwithavailablesupports Buildingrelationships andskills Contributingtoasafeworkplaceforall ProsperityGrowthProtectionConnection Fosteringahealthyculture Creatingmeaningfulbenefitprograms Supportinggrowthanddevelopment Valuingworkersandprovidingjobswithpurpose Deliveringfairpayandworkingconditions HealthonDemand2025.SmarterBenefits,StrongerWorkforce.5 Figure4: Sixrecommendationsforbenefits Healthiswealth Makingcareaffordable Confrontfinancialbarrierstohelpemployeesaccesshealthcarewithgreaterconfidence. Prioritizinglongevity Actonlongevitynow,forallgenerations. Healthispersonal Tailoringforuniqueneeds Optimizebenefitstoreflectsharedbasicneedsanddiverserealities. Safeguardingminds Strengthenmentalhealthprogramstoaddressclearconcernsovercognitivedeclineandloneliness. Healthissecurity Adaptingtoachangingclimate Asweatherimpactsfamiliesglobally,reassessbenefitstosupportemployeesandprotectoperations. Exploringnewwaystoaccesscare Promotequalityhe