Spain labor absenteeism shows regional disparity in Q2 2026

Labor absenteeism in Spain showed significant regional disparities during the second quarter of 2026, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) analyzed by Randstad Research. The national average absenteeism rate stood at 7.2% of agreed working hours, a slight increase of 0.2 percentage points compared to the previous year.

The Canary Islands recorded the highest absenteeism rate in the country at 9%, which is 1.8 percentage points above the national average. Within the islands, the service sector saw a rate of 9.2%, while the industrial sector reached 9.1%. Temporary disability (IT) accounted for 7.8% of agreed hours in the Canary Islands, nearly doubling the national average of 5.6%.

In contrast, the Balearic Islands maintained the lowest absenteeism rate in Spain at 5.5%, placing them 1.7 percentage points below the national average. Other regions with high absenteeism rates included Asturias and the Basque Country.