Hong Kong records highest stress levels globally amid pandemic

Overall well-being in Hong Kong dropped slightly between April and June 2020 from 57.8 to 57.2 and was lower than the global average point of 61.3, according to Cigna's COVID-19 Global Impact Study: New Directions. It also has the lowest level of well-being of the 11 markets surveyed, aside from SouthKorea. 

Additionally, Hong Kong also recorded the highest stress levels across all the markets surveyed, with unmanageable stress level rebounding and increasing from 9% in April to 18% in June 2020.

Finances continue to be the key stressor for Hong Kong people, with 28% attributing this as the cause of their stress. Hong Kong’s financial well-being index has declined by 1.9 points (from 51.8 in April to 49.9 in June 2020), with only 17% of respondents saying their financial well-being was positive.

The research shows that only 14% of people in Hong Kong said they have financial security in case of emergencies or if they are unable to work (down from 16% in April 2020). In terms of the changes due to COVID-19, 34% said the biggest difference would be their financial status or the way they manage their finances, while 30% said they worried about future pandemics emerging.

Next is work-related stress. As the COVID-19 spike continues, 6% of the respondents were also stressed about its impact on the economy.

Satisfaction regarding the workload or working hours of the people in Hong Kong has increased in June (48%) after a minor dip in April (from 37% in January to 33% in April 2020), with more people saying they had a good work-life balance (from 43% in April to 51% in June).

However, this has not resulted in a positive change for stress levels. A total of 57% of respondents said they had work-related stress, up from 47% in April 2020 and compared to a 51% globally.