Howden Employee Benefits – Global Employee Health Report 2026

Report

3 minutes

18 November 2025

The changing face of global employee health

Employee health and benefits are changing at speed. Rising inflation is driving up costs, AI is reshaping care journeys, new drugs like GLP1s are emerging, and employers are navigating an increasingly complex map of people risks.

This is where Howden Employee Benefits steps in with a new perspective. Drawing on insights from insurers, employers, and employees, our new report provides a full-market view of the forces reshaping global employee health and medical benefits. Howden’s perspective is driven by global data and the lived experiences of employees around the world.

Global Employee Health Report 2026

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Employee Health Benefits for the Moments that Matter

The health benefits employees receive affect every part of their lives – from how they live and work, to how they recover when something goes wrong. For them, the system they rely on isn’t simply a policy or a plan. It’s personal. It’s emotional. It’s the difference between getting help and feeling stuck.

Employees, employers, and insurers all face the same healthcare challenges – but from different directions. These priorities don’t always line up, leading to a widening gap between what’s covered and what’s needed – and between perceived and actual value.

Employees want fast, simple, confidential care they can trust.
Employers need to manage costs, while supporting their people and keeping them productive.
Insurers must balance rising medical trends, the cost of new treatments and the pressure to innovate.

This report looks at the human side of health – how people experience care, what drives cost and complexity, and how better alignment between value, cost and care can lead to stronger, more sustainable health systems for everyone.

Key Findings

57%

of employees start treatment within a week of diagnosis. 36% say delays have made their condition worse, and 41% paid out of pocket to get treated, even with private cover

53%

of employers expect obesity-related drug prices to rise by up to 25% in 2026. Demand for new metabolic drugs like GLP-1s is rising fast, but their cost is a concern.

68%

of employees say they would trust AI in their healthcare, and 48% of employers want to see AI-powered tools adopted more widely.

Global Employee Health Report 2026 - satisfaction

The Employee Experience Gap

The report shows that while most employees with serious illnesses get an appointment within a week, far fewer begin treatment as quickly. Access is faster in Asia and Latin America, supported by strong private networks and prevention programmes. In Europe, public systems face longer waits. For employees on their healthcare journey, these delays matter—shaping how they feel about their health, their support, and their employer.