Research from AXA finds 80% of the country’s workforce is concerned about uncertainty, financial instability, difficulty achieving work-life balance, and social isolation.
By Maggie Mancini
Work-related stress exerts a greater influence on the mental health of Hong Kong’s workforce compared to the global average, according to research from AXA. Among the affected demographics, young millennials and Gen Z face the most severe mental health challenges. They experience higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression and take sick leave more frequently due to mental health-related issues.
The study presents a concerning picture of Hong Kong’s workforce grappling with elevated stress levels and mental health challenges, with 80% of the working populations citing multiple factors influencing their well-being, including uncertainty about the future in a rapidly changing world (58%), financial instability and job insecurity (58%), difficulty achieving work-life balance (53%), and loneliness and social isolation (45%). Work-related stress is particularly acute in Hong Kong, higher than the global average (56%).
Pressure at work has become an invisible burden, impacting both mental and physical well-being. Approximately 84% of the working population indicates that work-related stress interferes with their daily lives, citing issues such as sleep disturbances (36%), decreased motivation (33%), physical symptoms (26%), mood swings or irritability (25%), difficulties in concentrating (22%), and changes in appetite (19%).
The study finds that 23% of the working population has taken sick leave due to mental health issues. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger generations, with 40% of Gen Z having done so — the highest among all age groups. The rate declines noticeably with age: 33% of young millennials, 26% of older millennials, and 20% of those ages 45 to 54 — only half the rate of Gen Z.
With the growing prevalence of technology, 29% of respondents report using mental health applications or services to manage their well-being. The tools they are most interested in include AI-driven sleep tracking apps (66%), digital journaling (60%), mindfulness and meditation apps (59%), and AI-powered virtual therapist chatbots (57%). Usage rates show significant generational differences: Gen Z has the highest adoption rate (46%), followed by younger millennials (41%). In contrast, only 15% of respondents aged 55 and above use AI for mind health management, highlighting the greater popularity of digital mind health tools among younger generations.
Notably, around 60% of working individuals expect companies to implement more comprehensive mental health workplace policies. This demand is particularly pronounced among younger generations, with 70% of Gen Z and 82% of younger millennials expressing such expectations.
