Germany Sees Slight Decline in Sick Leave in 2024, But Mental Health Absences Rise

A new report reveals fewer absences due to respiratory and musculoskeletal issues, while mental health-related sick days increase across the workforce.

The average number of sick days per worker in Germany dropped slightly in 2024, from 19.4 days in 2023 to 19.1 days, according to data from the DAK and Techniker Krankenkasse (TK).
Respiratory illnesses, the leading cause of sick leave, saw an 8% decline, while musculoskeletal issues like back pain fell by 6%.
Mental health-related absences, such as those caused by depression and anxiety, rose by 5.7%, highlighting growing workplace mental health challenges.
The introduction of electronic sick leave reporting in 2022 led to a one-time spike in recorded absences; since then, fluctuations have been minimal.
Experts and health officials stress the importance of fostering supportive workplace environments to reduce absenteeism and counteract a reported culture of mistrust in some organizations.