Engagement: The Most Underrated Growth Strategy in Business

During my recent holidays I finally had the time to catch up on some reading I had put aside. One report I focused on was Gallup ’s State of the Global Workplace 2025, and here are some of the insights that stood out.

The report highlights a paradox:

 • Luxembourg — Europe’s wealthiest country per capita — has just 8% engaged employees (the lowest in Europe).

 • Romania, with far lower GDP per capita, scores ~30% engaged, almost matching the U.S.

 • Poland and Portugal also outperform many richer Western nations.

 • Germany — Europe’s largest economy — shows only 15% engagement, still well below the global average.

This shows that money doesn’t buy motivation. Prosperity improves living standards (53% of Luxembourgers say they are “thriving”), but it doesn’t create purpose, trust, or energy at work.

The fragility shows up clearly in turnover intentions: in Luxembourg, 38% of employees say they are looking for or open to a new job (!), compared to just 27% in Romania and 23% in Poland — both countries with significantly lower GDP per capita but far higher engagement.

And why does this matter? Because, as WTW Willis Tower Watson research reminds us:

 • Engaged employees deliver more — both quality and quantity — even under heavy workloads.

 • Disengaged employees complain more, take more sick leave, and may be “present” but not productive.

Germany is a cautionary tale: it remains a powerful economy, but one in fragile health. It now tops Europe in sick leave with 15–19 average days per employee per year — almost double the EU average — while only 15% of employees are engaged (FT, The Times, Le Monde - links in comments here below). Analysts estimate this shaved 0.5% off GDP in 2023 — about €21 billion. That is roughly a quarter of Luxembourg’s entire GDP.

The lesson for leaders is clear: high pay and prosperity may retain people, but they don’t engage them. True engagement comes from leadership quality, psychological safety, and a sense of purpose at work. Countries with fewer resources but stronger bonds at work are proving it every day.

Engagement is not a “nice to have.” It is a growth strategy.

To download the report: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx