Alcohol-Related Sick Days Among Workers Reach Record High in 2023

A new AOK report highlights a sharp rise in workplace absences due to alcohol, with older employees and men disproportionately affected.

The AOK Rheinland/Hamburg reports 16 alcohol-related sick days per 100 insured workers in 2023, up from 15.3 in 2022.
Men are nearly three times more likely to miss work due to alcohol-related issues compared to women, with 1.01 cases per 100 men versus 0.37 per 100 women.
Older employees are significantly more affected, with those over 60 recording 27.6 alcohol-related sick days per 100 insured, compared to just 3.8 days for workers aged 20-29.
Experts warn of a high underreporting rate, as absences of up to three days often do not require medical certification and are excluded from the data.
Health officials emphasize the widespread risks of alcohol misuse, noting its impact across all social groups and its role as a major public health concern.