Effectory’s latest Global Employee Engagement Index™ 2024-2025 is here, packed with fresh insights every HR professional should have on their radar. If you want to know what really influences employee engagement and how you can improve it in your organization, this blog post is for you.
What really drives employee engagement in 2025?
What is employee engagement, and why does it matter?
Employee engagement is more than job satisfaction; it’s about feeling valued, inspired, and deeply connected to one’s work and the organization’s success. While a satisfied employee may be content with their role, an engaged employee is motivated to contribute, perform at a high level, and stay committed long-term.
Engaged employees bring tangible benefits: they are more productive, deliver better customer experiences, and are less likely to leave. Understanding the difference between engagement and related concepts like satisfaction or motivation helps organizations create workplaces where employees feel truly invested.
What is employee engagement? – Effectory
What’s new in the Global Employee Engagement Index™?
Published every two years, The Global Employee Engagement Index™ provides a comprehensive benchmark of engagement trends worldwide. This year’s edition includes insights from 17,000+ employees across 54 countries, giving organizations a data-backed way to compare engagement levels by country, industry, and company size.
If you’re wondering how your organization measures up, or where to focus your engagement efforts, this report has the answers.
Download the Global Employee Engagement Index
The drivers of employee engagement in 2025
Our latest research highlights the most important factors influencing employee engagement worldwide. Here are some of them:
- Feeling appreciated by the organization
Employees who feel genuinely appreciated are more engaged. But real appreciation goes beyond a simple “thank you” or a year-end bonus. It means recognizing contributions, offering growth opportunities, and creating a workplace where employees feel valued and heard.
According to our data, highly engaged employees report that their organization rewards performance and offers good training and development opportunities. When employees see their hard work acknowledged in meaningful ways, their engagement increases.
- Inclusivity: A sense of belonging
Feeling a sense of belonging is a powerful engagement driver. When employees believe they are valued and included, they are more likely to stay committed to their work and the organization.
Inclusion isn’t just about hiring diverse talent; it’s about ensuring everyone has equal access to opportunities and is treated fairly. Creating a culture of belonging means celebrating diversity, listening to employees, and upholding ethical workplace practices.
Want to assess your organization’s inclusivity? Try a quick DEI Scan.
- Supportive leadership
Leadership plays a critical role in employee engagement. Our research found that organizations with strong leadership see a 24% increase in engagement levels. Employees who feel supported by their leaders are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to stay.
But what does supportive leadership actually look like? It’s not only senior executives who shape engagement – managers at every level have a direct impact. Employees need leaders who listen, provide guidance, and foster open communication.
The data also confirms what many HR professionals already know: people don’t leave jobs; they leave managers. Investing in leadership development and building a culture of trust can have a lasting impact on engagement levels.
What’s the best way to improve employee engagement?
The first step is understanding where your organization stands today. Get a copy of the latest Global Employee Engagement Index™ to explore the latest trends and strategies to strengthen employee engagement in your workplace.
Global Employee Engagement Index™
Discover the Global Employee Engagement Index™ 2025 for key insights on driving employee engagement, improving performance, and enhancing team dynamics.
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