International Research

This campaign was commissioned by Aviva UK Health to explore the new trend of ‘semi-gration’, where many people are looking at the option of moving abroad to work in the short term until the UK economy starts to recover. One of the key concerns highlighted by the survey is how to they would look after their health abroad – a quarter (25%) say the NHS is one of the things they’d most miss. Despite this, one third (34%) of young workers considering ‘semi-grating’ told us they wouldn’t consider it important to take out international health insurance.

The destinations of choice for UK workers looking to move are constantly changing as fluctuating currency rates and developing economies put new countries on the expat map. The top destinations for 18 to 30 year olds considering ‘semi-grating' are highlighted on the map below.

Highlights from the research include:

• Almost two thirds (64%) believe the UK has superior state health benefits over other countries.
• Nearly six in ten (56%) believe there are better prospects abroad with over half (54%) saying they are considering a stay in another country.
• Over half of those surveyed (53%) believe that ‘semi-grating’ would mean a pay boost of, on average 35%, and a lower cost of living.
• Three quarters (74%) of young workers believe their job prospects have declined in the last two year.
• One in four (29%) aged 18 to 30 would consider a permanent move away from the UK.
• Less than one in ten (7%) believe they will receive better state health provision outside of the UK.

The ‘Semi-Gration’ study marks the launch of the International Solutions product from Aviva UK Health, an innovative medical insurance plan that takes a modular approach, complementing the healthcare provision in the country they are living in.

However, as our map shows, health provision differs widely across the globe and the danger is that, should the worst happen, those people could find themselves in unfamiliar territories, often not speaking the local language, not knowing how to arrange medical treatment or indeed being able to pay for it. International health insurance such as Aviva’s International Solutions policy helps provide individuals with the peace of mind that they have the medical support when they need it most.

For more information on Aviva's international health insurance product, please see the International Solutions page.

To get the full story, please read the press release, available at the Home of Health.