Cash Register: Sickness-related Absences in the Job Also High in 2025 - Germany’s 2025 sick leave trends reveal mental health as a rising workplace challenge
Employees in Germany took an average of 19.5 days off due to illness in 2025, according to a new report by DAK-Gesundheit. This figure remains nearly unchanged from the previous year, when workers missed 19.7 days. The data also highlights significant differences in sick leave across age groups and professions.
The analysis revealed that older workers faced longer absences. Employees over 60 averaged around 20 days off per sick leave episode, while the overall average stood at 9.8 days. Respiratory illnesses remained the top cause of medically certified absences, but mental health conditions climbed to second place, surpassing musculoskeletal issues like back pain.
Hospital and nursing home staff recorded the highest sick leave rates, missing an average of 22.5 days. In contrast, those in IT and data processing took the least time off, with just 12.6 days. The report did not specify which professions saw the highest absenteeism beyond healthcare roles. Andreas Storm, CEO of DAK-Gesundheit, proposed exploring flexible solutions to reduce prolonged absences. He suggested partial sick leave for certain diagnoses, allowing employees to return to work gradually rather than waiting for full recovery.
The 2025 figures show little change in overall sick leave trends compared to 2024. Mental health has become a more prominent factor in workplace absences, now ranking above back pain. Employers may need to adapt policies to address the growing impact of mental health conditions on staff attendance.
