Global Employee Engagement Hits a New Low: A Wake-Up Call for Organizations
The State of the Global Workplace: 2025 report paints a concerning picture of employee engagement worldwide. In 2024, only 21% of employees reported being engaged in their work, down from 23% the previous year. This marks the second decline in 12 years, sounding the alarm for organizations already grappling with decreased productivity.
Managers Not Immune to Disengagement
The report also reveals that managers are not exempt from this trend. Their engagement levels have dropped from 30% to 27% in 2024. This is a worrying development, as managerial disengagement often leads to disengagement among the teams they manage.
Global Well-being Remains Low
Meanwhile, global employee well-being remains low, with only 33% of employees reporting that they "thrive in their lives." This figure, which had reached 35% in 2022, has been declining.
The Economic Cost of Disengagement
According to the report, this lack of engagement is estimated to have cost the global economy $438 billion in 2024. On the other hand, total employee engagement worldwide could generate an additional $9.6 trillion in productivity, equivalent to a 9% increase in global GDP.
The report serves as a wake-up call for organizations to prioritize employee engagement and well-being, lest they face the consequences of decreased productivity and economic losses.
