Rising sick leave trends prompt policy discussions in Italy and France

Recent data highlights a significant rise in sick leave across Europe, impacting both public health and national budgets. In Italy, a study by the University of Pavia and ANMAR, in collaboration with INPS, revealed that sick leave certificates related to musculoskeletal disorders exceeded 1.18 million in 2025, approximately double the figures from 2013. Specifically, arthropathies saw a 131% increase. The study noted that while musculoskeletal issues affect people of all ages, the lack of detailed diagnostic information in many certificates limits the ability to fully measure the impact on working life.

In France, the government is targeting sick leave reforms to address rising costs. The Ministry of Labor reported that compensated sick leave rose by 10% in recent years, reaching nine million cases in 2025 at a cost of 17.9 billion euros. French Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou has proposed a structural reform aimed at saving one billion euros. The proposed strategy involves reducing protections for short-term sick leave to discourage abuse while increasing support for long-term leave to better protect vulnerable workers, such as temporary employees and domestic workers.