Motivation Statistics: Numbers in 2024

Employee motivation doesn’t get the attention it deserves for the success of a business and neglecting it can hurt the company’s workforce. Achieving it meanwhile seems to be elusive, with only 15% of workers worldwide feeling engaged in their work. We have put together these motivation statistics to help you understand the current state of the workplace. Read on to learn how you can keep your employees happier and more motivated. 

Top Motivation Statistics: Editor’s Choice

  • Only 15% of employees worldwide feel engaged.
  • Engaged employees are 87% less likely to resign from their companies.
  • 39% of employees feel underappreciated at work.
  • 81% of employees are thinking of quitting their jobs for better offers.
  • 66% of employees were motivated to stay at their job with the presence of a corporate incentive program.
  • 87% of employees expect their employer to help them find a balance between work and personal obligations.

General Employee Motivation Statistics

1. Employees work 20% better when motivated.

A Gallup study shows that a company’s treatment of its employees can positively affect business or adversely, put it in a disadvantaged position. Motivated individuals are found to continuously search for ways to improve productivity and help overloaded colleagues to ensure efficiency. Employees carry out purposeful, meaningful work when properly motivated, as demonstrated by motivation at the workplace statistics.

2. Highly engaged teams increase business profitability by 21%.

People are eager to perform more effectively when properly motivated, which results in better output and customer relationships, turnover, and recommendations. An employee’s work experience goes beyond professionalism, making them 59% less likely to burn out. These factors come together to ensure stable business growth and profitability.

3. Employee engagement and motivation reduces absenteeism by 41%.

According to a Gallup study, adequate employee motivation improves workplace retention. Statistics on workplace motivation further show that highly engaged teams experience 41% less absenteeism and a 17% rise in productivity.

4. Motivated employees are 87% less likely to resign.

Motivated people have more emotional ties to their organization which makes them less likely to leave it for a better offer. An employee motivation survey of over 50,000 workers found that motivated employees are 87% less likely to leave a company. They are a dozen times less likely to churn when compared to those who are not engaged.

5. Only 15% of employees worldwide feel motivated.

A Gallup study shows that only 15% of employees feel engaged in their workplace, which points to a motivational crisis for the global workforce. Employee engagement statistics further reveal that in Europe, only 10% of employees are motivated at work, which compares to 33% for the US. The employee motivation statistics for the UK are even more alarming with the number as low as 8%, with a noticeable decrease over the years.

6. Unmotivated employees can cost companies up to $550 billion a year.

Each year in the US, over $450 billion in losses is recorded due to having unmotivated employees. When an employee isn’t in agreement with a company’s mission and vision, they are neither driven to make innovative moves nor are they likely to perform well.

7. The employer loses over $5,000 each time an employer walks out on the job.

Low employee motivation incentives turn out to be expensive, costing a business an average of $4,129 to hire new talents and around $986 to settle in the new hire, as confirmed by motivation statistics. This implies that you lose over $5,000 when an employee walks away in addition to the immeasurable cost of losing an experienced employee!

8. Companies with actively motivated employees realize a 27% higher profit.

Companies that motivate their employees regularly see a 27% rise in profits. This is coupled with a 50% increase in sales, 38% above-average productivity, and a 50% increase in customer loyalty levels. 

9. 81% of employees are thinking of quitting jobs for better offers.

A 2017 study on employee motivation has shown that a good 81% of employees will consider leaving their jobs for better offers. These employee motivation findings also reveal that 74% would accept lower pay if given a chance to work at their dream jobs or for an employer that values motivation. This shows that leaving one’s job isn’t always about money, as intrinsic motivation seems to outweigh the extrinsic. Also, employees are more likely to leave their place of work if they see their colleagues searching for new jobs, meaning companies should be careful of a domino effect in their workplace.

10. 44% of employees report feeling stressed out ‘sometimes.’

Motivation statistics further show that less engaged employees are prone to stress and more likely to take sick days, increasing absenteeism. Stress reduces productivity and costs businesses about €9 billion each year in Germany.

11. Just under 40% of employees feel underappreciated. 

39% of employees feel underappreciated, while 77% would agree to work harder if they were receiving more recognition. Employee motivation activities are one way to make sure workers feel appreciated and boost productivity. 

12. A company with a better culture would increase its revenue by 4x. 

An extensive, long-term study shows that companies with the best corporate cultures, which embrace comprehensive leadership initiatives and highly value their employees, customers, and owners, increased their revenues by 682%. During the same 11 year evaluation period, companies with no thriving company culture grew their revenue by 166%. 

13. More than 42% of employees pay attention to rewards and incentives program opportunities when they are on the lookout for employment.

Motivation incentives help companies recruit and retain talent. More than four out of 10 employees consider rewards and incentives in the workplace when seeking employment, according to statistics on motivation. So, if you as an employer don’t offer the right motivational incentive, your competitors are very likely to steal top talents from you.

14. 52% of employees are already participating in some sort of reward program. 

To show appreciation, many employers implement ongoing recognition programs designed for motivating and rewarding employees for various achievements accomplished overtime. Recent findings by SHRM and the recognition consulting firm Globoforce showed that 51% of sales talent and 52% of employees were already participating in some program at their workplace.

15.   Two-thirds of the staff are motivated to stay at their job with the presence of a motivational program for employees.

A study by Harvard Business Review has revealed that making provisions for a corporate incentive program motivated 66% of employees to not quit their job. This includes offering the right incentives to motivate employees, recognizing and praising them often, honoring employees publicly, and diversifying awards.

Employee Motivation and Retention Statistics

16.  One in three professionals cites boredom as the main reason for quitting.

Motivation statistics show that 33% of those who change jobs cite boredom and the quest for new challenges as the main reason for leaving. The second most common reason is that the work culture does not fit the employee or their values, and 24% chose this as the main reason. The pursuit of a higher salary came fourth, with only 19 percent choosing it as the main reason for leaving.

17.  Three-quarters of employees who resign did not quit their jobs; they quit their bosses.

Employees join companies but leave the managers. A poll on the trends in employee motivation conducted by Gallup that involved more than one million American employed workers revealed that the primary reason why people resign from their jobs is a bad boss or direct supervisor. Namely, 75% of employees who left their jobs voluntarily did so because of their bosses and not because of the job itself. 

18.  An 5% increase in the employee recognition rate can increase profitability by 25% to 85%.

Employee recognition statistics by Finextra show that 41% of customers are loyal to a brand or company because they consistently notice employees’ positive attitudes. In comparison, 68% of customers leave a brand or company due to a negative employee attitude. Adjusting policies and implementing small steps can make a big difference not only to company morale, employee motivation and organizational performance, but can also attract customers. 

19. Employees who feel heard are 4.6 times more likely to perform at their best.

Employees feel empowered when they are allowed to speak, and employee motivation statistics show this is reflected in their performance. If you are currently talking at instead of with your people, turn the monologue into a dialogue. Healthy and engaged employees along with strong workplace culture are the secret sauce for business success.

20. Firms with engaged employees were 43% more productive.

The Hay Group measured current employee satisfaction levels using project management software across 10 regional offices and then linking the survey results with revenues. The results showed that offices with satisfied employees were 43% more productive, generating higher revenue. 

21. 61% of employees chose healthy lifestyles thanks to their organization’s Health and Wellness Program.

This is one of the several employee motivation statistics in Aflac’s summary of current trends. The job satisfaction statistics revealed that a comprehensive wellness program will help employees change their lifestyle and make better decisions, leading to increased motivation and better work productivity. The same report found that millennials, more than any other group, take benefits such as health and wellness programs into account when deciding whether to accept or stay in a job.

22. 87% of employees expect their employer to help them strike a balance between work and personal obligations.

A recent Glassdoor survey reminds us that our understanding of wellness must go beyond traditional health measures. Importance of motivation statistics indicate that embracing wellness and motivation as strategic imperatives is critical. Organizations that pay attention to their employees’ wellness providing them with help and support to address non-work-related areas in their lives not only protect their human capital but also ensure their employees thrive at the workplace. 

23. Fewer than half of employees are well aware of the company’s employee motivation strategy, goals, and tactics.

Work motivation statistics show that only 40% of employees reported that they know the company’s goals, strategies, and tactics. Uncertainty about company direction creates chronic stress that inhibits oxytocin release and undermines teamwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is employee motivation?

Employee motivation is a tool that employers often use to recognize the excellent work their workers do and to encourage them to do better in the future. It is a driving force for all employees in the organization and helps create the much-needed passion and interest at work.

What motivates employees the most?

Employee motivation statistics indicate that many employees are motivated by financial gain, opportunities for career growth and advancement, training and development prospects, flexible working conditions, or additional paid vacation. Others work towards goals and feel that they are contributing to something bigger than themselves.

How do companies motivate employees?

As a business owner, you must provide your employees with the things they need to carry out their responsibilities well. These include setting realistic goals, recognizing the efforts of your employees, and communicating effectively.

Why is it important to motivate employees?

The primary importance of employee motivation is to help them develop a strong belief in their mission and the importance of their jobs. Motivation statistics show that results arise from techniques that help employees feel successful and increase their efforts to achieve goals and improve performance.

What are employee motivation factors?

Employee motivation factors include treating people fairly and with respect. As a manager, you can also recognize the work of your employees and create opportunities for learning and development.

How does employee motivation affect organizational behavior?

Motivation facts show that motivation plays a vital role in any organization or company. The level of motivation can directly affect not only the quality of life, but it can also enhance or weaken the result. 

Who is responsible for employee motivation?

Managers and team leaders are responsible for supervising, leading, and motivating employees using effective communication skills. This will help them ensure that the employees work towards achieving the organization’s objectives.

Wrapping Up

The ripple effect of having committed and motivated employees is enormous — it leads to real and material differences in your bottom line. But most workplaces around the world lack motivational programs for employees, which has severe repercussions for business success. An engaged and motivated workforce is the lifeblood of your company. And as these motivation statistics confirm, the micro-success of each employee is linked to the organization’s macro-success.

Sources

Gallup Firm, SHRMTraining Magazine 2018 Industry ReportGallup FirmInc. MagazineAchievers Engagement BlogGallup FirmGlobo ForceForbesGallup FirmDCR StrategiesSocial ChorusGallup FirmSHRMHarvard Business ReviewTrust AmbassadorAflacSHRMKonferryDejan GeorgievHarvard Business ReviewGallup FirmForbesPR News WireGallup FirmBiz FillingsFinance ExtraHarvard Business Review