Even though Africa is still reeling under the impact of COVID-19 with surging cases amidst low vaccination rates, it has achieved higher rankings in the physical and social well-being indices compared to a global average across 21 other markets, a survey conducted by Cigna Corporation, a global health service company, reveals.

In the global study conducted by Cigna in March-April 2021, Africa’s physical well-being index was at 62.4, and ranked higher than the global average of 58.2 and the Middle East levels at 61.3. Similarly, Africa ranked higher in the social well-being index at 64, compared to the global average which stood at 61.6. The annual global study was conducted anonymously online, interviewing 18,043 respondents globally and 2,817 in Africa.

The survey forms part of Cigna Corporation’s annual flagship 360° Well-Being Survey. The 360° Well-Being Survey, into its seventh year and conducted anonymously across the globe, showed Africa’s overall well-being index at 59.8, which was lower in comparison to the global average of 61.4 and Middle East at 64.7. Africa’s well-being index also registered a drop compared to the 61.2 levels achieved during the pre-pandemic period in January 2020.

The 360 Well-Being Index

Leah Cotterill, Chief Distribution Officer, MEA at Cigna explained that the 360 Well-Being Index reflects how consumers on the continent feel about their personal health and well-being across five pillars: physical, financial, workplace, social and family wellness.

“The report gives us an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behaviours and expectations. Mirroring global trends, Africa is also witnessing an increase in incidences of stress, overwork, gaps in workplace wellness and overall well-being. It is time to work cohesively to raise awareness and drive positive change on this front”.
Leah Cotterill

The study shows that the financial well-being in Africa declined from 43.3 levels in 2020 to 41 in 2021 and was much lower than the global average of 54.1. The work well-being in Africa dropped from 67.3 in 2020 to 65.9 in 2021 and was lower than the global average of 67.9. The family well-being dropped to 65.8 in 2021, compared to 67.2 in 2020, against a global average of 65.5.

Job satisfaction & Work-from-Home option

Another trend that emerged in Africa was that 57% of office-based workers preferred the Work-from-Home option compared to 34% in global markets. However, the study also found that 50% of the work-from-home employees in Africa are spending longer hours working compared to 39% globally.

The study showed extremely low job satisfaction among Africans in terms of salary packages and employee benefits, slumping to 18% compared to a global average of 42%. Stability on the job front is another factor which is affecting the work well-being among Africans. From the pre-pandemic levels of 39% in 2020, the job stability has dropped to 31% in 2021, against the current global average of 60%, according to the survey.

The encouraging physical and social well-being indices came amidst increasing stress levels in Africa. Stress incidences were found to be very high in the African continent at 91%, in comparison with a global average of 83% and the Middle East levels at 87%, according to the study. The authors argued that this reinforces that stress is increasingly becoming less stigmatized on the continent.

According to the survey, nearly 48% of Africans are likely to look for a job change, which is markedly higher than the global average of 30% and the Middle East levels of 39%.