In 2024, global employee engagement fell from 23% to 21%, equaling the sharp decline seen during COVID-19. This disengagement came at a steep cost: $438 billion in lost productivity across the world economy.

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The primary cause was a drop in manager engagement.

Managers: The Heart of the Problem — and the Solution

Manager Engagement Is Plummeting
- From 30% → 27% globally
- Young managers (under 35): –5 pts
- Female managers: –7 pts
- Meanwhile, individual contributor engagement stayed flat at 18%

This steep decline in manager engagement has ripple effects: disengaged managers lead disengaged teams — lowering productivity, weakening customer relationships, and increasing turnover.

“The primary cause was a drop in manager engagement” — a reality now backed by global data and voiced by employees around the world.

A System Under Strain

Managers today are stretched thin trying to bridge:
- Post-pandemic turnover
- Hiring booms and busts
- AI transformation
- Budget cuts and restructures
- Shifting employee demands (e.g., flexibility, purpose, remote work)

Why It Matters

70% of team engagement is directly linked to manager engagement.

Engagement Type % of Employees

Engaged 21%

Not Engaged 62%

Actively Disengaged 17%

Global Engagement: A Troubling Trend

2012: 13%
2016: 17%
2020: 20%
2022: 23%
2024: 21%

Each dip reflects mounting strain — but the root issue remains consistent: disengaged, unsupported managers.

The Way Forward

Invest in Managers, Rebuild Engagement
1. Train Every Manager: Cut extreme disengagement in half
2. Coach for Performance: Boost engagement by 20–28%
3. Support Wellbeing: Raise thriving levels from 28% to 50%

“The primary cause was a drop in manager engagement — but the solution starts there too.”

Final Takeaway

Unless leaders prioritize manager engagement, productivity, retention, and growth will continue to decline. But with smart investment and support, the workplace can recover — starting with the managers who shape it.

Source: Gallup: State of the Global Workplace 2025 Report (read the full report here)
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx
© 2025 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

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