Netherlands leads in workplace well-being, U.S. follows close: ManpowerGroup survey
WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES — The Netherlands emerged as the leader in employee well-being, achieving a remarkable score of 74% in ManpowerGroup‘s Global Talent Barometer. The United States and Mexico tied for second place with 72% each.
The study, which measures job satisfaction, confidence, and overall employee well-being, highlights the varying conditions experienced by workers worldwide.
The ManpowerGroup Global Talent Barometer gathered responses from 12,062 workers across 16 countries from April 15 to May 10, 2024.
Regional well-being rankings
On the other hand, Japan recorded the lowest well-being score at 46%, indicating challenges in its workforce environment. The report also revealed a trend of potential job turnover, with 35% of global workers considering leaving their current positions within the next six months—a figure that rises to 47% among younger workers aged 18 to 27.
Singapore stands out in the study, with its workforce most likely to change jobs soon, despite expressing high confidence in their current skill sets to secure new opportunities.
ManpowerGroup’s Chief Commercial Officer Becky Frankiewicz noted, “The employee-employer relationship is at a crossroads. People expect work to offer them more. More balance. More options. More humanity. More than just a paycheck.”
Work-life balance and stress factors
The barometer highlighted several critical workplace dynamics:
- 71% of workers feel secure in their current positions for the next six months
- 49% report experiencing daily workplace stress
- 59% of employees haven’t received any skills training in the past six months
- 80% find their work meaningful or purposeful
The study also revealed that company culture alignment remains strong, with 71% of employees feeling connected to their organization’s vision and values. However, the data suggests that purpose alone isn’t sufficient for talent retention, as organizations must now focus on creating comprehensive, people-first environments that address multiple aspects of employee well-being.
