Stress-Related Sick Leave in Germany Hits Record Levels in 2024

New data reveals a nationwide average of 112 stress-related sick days per 100 employees, with regional disparities highlighting uneven impacts.

Stress-related illnesses, such as acute stress reactions and adjustment disorders, were the third leading cause of sick leave in Germany in 2024, after respiratory infections and back pain.
Nationwide, employees reported a record-high average of 112 stress-related sick days per 100 workers in 2024, up from 105 in 2023 and 74 in 2019.
Bavaria experienced a 50% rise in stress-related sick days since 2019, reaching 83 days per 100 employees in 2024, the second-lowest rate among German states.
Saarland reported the highest stress-related sick leave rates in 2024, with nearly 176 days per 100 employees, while Baden-Württemberg recorded the lowest at just over 81 days.
Experts warn that stress-related conditions, now the most common psychological diagnosis among workers, may serve as precursors to more severe mental health issues like depression.