Mercer and Oliver Wyman 2024 Global Insurance Investment Survey 

Our survey shows that four out of 10 insurers plan to increase private market allocations in 2024, with private debt in focus.

Volatility in markets has kept insurers on their toes over the recent past, which the findings of our recent survey of insurers attest to. Across regions and business lines, many are assessing the opportunity to put excess cash and liquidity to work, whether through optimising fixed income allocations, increasing exposure to private debt, or continuing the push into private markets.

Our study canvassed the views and plans of more than 80 insurers, to share in-depth insights and key learnings based on: their views on investment challenges and opportunities in the current environment; investment decision-making and plans for portfolios; approaches to sustainable investing, net-zero target setting and implementation; and the operational challenges ahead.

Four themes for insurers in 2024

60% of insurers cite optimising the Core fixed income portfolio as a top investment opportunity over the year ahead.

Almost three quarters (73%) of insurers either invest in private markets or plan to do so in 2024.

61% of survey respondents regard evolving regulatory requirements and adapting to regulatory change as the key operational challenge for 2024.

Among insurers already incorporating sustainability considerations into investment decisions, 70% plan to increase exposure to sustainable investments in the next 12 months, though concerns around data standardisation and transparency endure.

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