Germany's Workplace Absences Hit Record High in 2024

Rising mental health issues, musculoskeletal conditions, and new digital sick leave processes drive increased sick days across the country.

The KKH reported 206 sick leave cases per 100 members nationwide in 2024, nearly double the rate from 2021.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had the highest sick leave rate at 230 cases per 100 members, while Baden-Württemberg recorded the lowest at 184 cases.
Mental health conditions, including depression and chronic exhaustion, reached their highest levels since 2017, with 392 absence days per 100 members in 2024.
Musculoskeletal disorders like back pain and herniated discs accounted for 466 absence days per 100 members, setting another record.
The introduction of electronic sick leave (eAU) in 2023 led to a significant increase in reported short-term illnesses such as respiratory infections, with related absences rising from 179 days in 2021 to 447 days in 2024.