Overview
- Government and BAuA figures show employees were on sick leave an average of 20.8 days in 2024, adding up to 881.5 million days of incapacity.
- Production losses rose to €134 billion, with each missed workday costing about €152 per employee.
- The combined burden from lost output and continued pay exceeded €200 billion, which reports equate to roughly 4.7% of GDP.
- Employers’ continued-wage costs were €72.3 billion per federal accounts, while the Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft estimates €82 billion when social contributions are included.
- AOK reports the highest sickness rates in care (9.36%), metal production (9.33%), public administration (8.70%) and retail (7.14%), as musculoskeletal and mental health conditions account for large shares of absence and fuel calls for prevention, waiting days and tighter sick-note practices.