Alarm! Sick leave at record level
The graph shows the average sickness rate of members of the statutory health insurance scheme (SHI) in Germany from 1991 to 2024. A dramatic increase in the sickness rate can be seen from 2020 in particular. While the sickness rate was relatively stable and even declining in some cases from 1991 to around 2007, it rose continuously from this point onwards.
The average number of sick days reached record levels in 2023:
- AOK26 days
- Technician: 19,4 days
- BKK: 19,35 days
- Barmer22.7 days
Costs per sick day: 253 €
Annual costs for 20 sick days: 5,060 € per employee
Update: Sick leave 1st half-year 2024:
- Sickness absences remain at record level in 2024.
- KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse: January to June 210 cases of illness per 100 working members.
- Every working person on average twice on sick leave.
- Comparison 2023: 204 cases of illness per 100 employees.
- Sharp increase since 2019: then only 122 cases of illness per 100 employees(increase of over 70 % in 5 years)
Reasons for the high level of sickness absence in 2024
- Main cause: respiratory illnesses (coughs, colds, flu-like infections).
- 70 out of 100 insured persons affected.
- Respiratory diseases responsible for 34% of all absences.
According to the Institute for Employment Research, colds and respiratory infections were already at the top of the list of reasons for sickness in previous years.
Counteract the high sickness rates now: What can I do as an entrepreneur?
