Companies need to refine their expat packages to match individual requirements in different regions.
Employees sent abroad with their families are the most likely expatriate group to access healthcare abroad, according to a new survey from the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC). Over 90% of families on assignment access care, compared with 64% of single expats.
Unsurprisingly, expats with families who either move with them or stay at home make different choices to single expats. The Expatriate Trends Study 2013 revealed expat assignees with partners, spouses, or children back home are more likely to seek routine treatment in their home country rather than locally.
When compared with expats from the 2001 survey, today’s expat tends to be older, on shorter assignments, and leave their families back home more often. In 2001, expats aged 25 to 34 made up 35% of the survey, down to 17% in 2013. In 2001, eight percent of expats with a spouse or partner were traveling without their spouse or partner on their assignments, while in 2013, that number nearly tripled to 23%. In 2001, 18% of expats with children did not have their children with them on assignment, and in 2013 that number almost doubled to 34%.
Schooling assistance priority
Where expats are assigned makes a difference in their experiences and perceptions. The least satisfied expats were those in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Those most satisfied were in Australia and Europe.
The priorities for expats change according to the region. Those in the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa identify medical preparedness as their number one priority. In Central American assistance with education is top.
For families, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa pose the greatest challenge. Expats reported the highest amount of dissatisfaction related to impact on the family in these regions.
“Survey results suggest many employers may be providing expatriates with services that adequately address the wider population, but not those on assignment in lesser developed countries,” said Bill Sheridan, vice president international human resources, NFTC.
“Enhanced understanding, awareness and flexibility are necessary when considering the complexity of global assignments. Customization is key, as a one-size-fits-all approach to developing packages for expatriates simply cannot provide a pathway to success in every geography.”