The Bupa Wellbeing Index
What is the Bupa Wellbeing Index?
Good health is the foundation of a longer, happier life. Yet in today’s fast-paced world, wellbeing can slip down our priorities as we juggle the demands of life, family and work.
As our needs evolve, so should our healthcare. That’s why we’ve launched the Bupa Wellbeing Index; an in-depth survey of more than 8,000 people from across the UK. It explores how people feel about their physical and mental health, and how different life stages, the workplace, the environment and wider society can affect how we feel about our overall wellbeing.
By understanding people’s views on health, we can tailor care to evolving needs as we seek to fulfil our purpose:
Helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.
September 2026
At Bupa, we see every day how early intervention for mental and physical health conditions leads to better health outcomes.
As the rising cost of living continues to be felt in communities across the UK, we are witnessing a fundamental shift in how people manage their health and wellbeing alongside the demands of everyday life. Too often, health gets pushed down the priority list - we call this the ‘cost of coping’.
Our research reveals many are putting off treatment or being influenced to opt for easy access and quick solutions, resulting in waiting longer to seek support when health concerns happen. While these decisions may feel practical in the moment, adopting a worrying wait-and-see approach that often leads to conditions worsening, ultimately lead to poorer health outcomes for individuals and wider society in the long term.
It’s not too late to act. The 2026 Bupa Wellbeing Index uncovers the reasons behind this shift and explores its impact on individuals, families, communities and organisations.
Together across government, employers and the wider health sector, we must make it easier for people to access expert support, advice and preventive care in ways that fit around their lives.
We propose practical solutions that can help address these challenges, so that together we continue helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.
2026 The Cost of Coping
As the rising cost of living continues to be felt in communities across the UK, we are witnessing a fundamental shift in how people manage their health and wellbeing alongside the demands of everyday life. Too often, health gets pushed down the priority list - we call this the ‘cost of coping’.
Drawing on new research from across the UK, this report explores how financial pressures, time constraints and competing life demands are influencing health decisions. It examines the growing cost of online health misinformation, the impact of delaying and deprioritising care, and the resulting cost to employers when poor health affects workforce wellbeing, productivity and retention.
Explore previous Wellbeing Index entries
2025
Lifting the lid on men’s health
Asking for help can be difficult. Discover the facts about fostering open dialogue, raising awareness, and providing support for men’s health. It calls on employers, healthcare providers, and society to come together to address these challenges.
Breaking down society’s barriers
This report provides an in-depth exploration of mental health, intergenerational conversations and multifaceted challenges men face. Including stigma, barriers to seeking help, and the wider impacts on relationships, workplaces, and families.
2025
(PDF, 1.5MB
2024
Multigenerational health and the missing middle
Families come in all shapes and sizes. Discover more about multigenerational health and how a portion of the UK population are missing out on career opportunities, social occasions and looking after their own health.
The new generations
This report explores the complex needs of multigenerational family health as people live longer and family trees evolve. It investigates the effects on caregivers social and professional lives and the impact on their physical and mental health.
2024 Part 1
(PDF, 1.7MB)
2024 Part 2
(PDF, 0.9MB)
2023
Healthy planet, healthy people
Employees and the environment go hand in hand. Discover how the health of people and our planet relate to one another. We also take a look at the future workforce. Gen Z and Millennials are feeling the burden of climate change so we explore how employers can help.
Tackling the stigmas and taboos around women's health
This report examines some of the most persistent stigmas and challenges around symptoms and conditions related to women s health. Explore the important role employers can play by embracing the future of women's health.
2023 Part 1
(PDF, 1.7MB)
2023 Part 2
(PDF, 1.7MB)
2022
Barometer baselines
How has healthcare changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? We uncover how the pandemic altered our health, our priorities and what action we’re taking to look after our health.
What this means for the future
Explore how the lifestyle changes we made during the pandemic fare in the future. Also learn about the challenges and barriers we face when trying to stick to healthier habits.
2022
(PDF, 1.6MB)
Advice and tools for your health and wellbeing
At Bupa we produce free health information for you and those around you. Find information about conditions, treatments and procedures. You’ll also find advice from our experts about staying healthy and living well.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3956433 . Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.
Bupa Health Assessments and Occupational Health services are provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.
