AOK insured's sick leave slightly decreased - Saarland sees slight drop in worker sick leave—but mental health struggles persist
Sickness-related absences among workers in Saarland fell slightly in 2025, according to new figures. The overall rate dropped by 0.3 percentage points to 6.9 percent. However, mental health issues remained a persistent problem, accounting for a large share of lost workdays.
The latest data from AOK-insured employees shows a mixed picture. While the general absence rate declined, mental health conditions stayed at 14.0 percent of all sick days—unchanged from previous levels. Nationwide, the average number of sick days per worker fell slightly to 23.3, but long-term mental health cases rose to 28.5 days per absence.
Musculoskeletal problems were the leading cause of missed work, making up 19.0 percent of all absences. Injuries followed at 8.8 percent, while respiratory illnesses matched mental health disorders at 14.0 percent each. The average sick leave lasted 11.2 days, with February seeing the highest absence rate at 8.7 percent.
The decline in overall sick leave suggests some improvement in workplace health. Yet mental health remains a major challenge, with long-term cases extending absences. The figures highlight ongoing pressure on employers to address both physical and psychological wellbeing.
