Spain records highest EU sick‑leave rate as absenteeism doubles in a decade

Spain now has the highest sickness‑absence rate in the European Union, with 4.5% of employees on medical leave in the reference week – a rise of 1.9 percentage points since 2018 and well above the EU average of 2.5%. Data from Eurostat, the OECD and a joint report by the Valencian Institute of Economic Research and the mutual insurer Umivale show Spain climbing five places in the EU ranking in 2024.

Official statistics indicate that the number of temporary incapacity processes grew from 4.2 million in 2016 to 8.8 million in 2025, a 110% increase. Lost workdays rose from 195 million to 376.9 million, with a peak of 406.8 million in 2024. The daily average of workers on sick leave jumped from about 530 000 to 1.55 million. Most absences (96.3%) are for common illnesses or non‑work accidents; musculoskeletal disorders account for 32.9% of lost days, while mental‑health conditions have risen to 15.7% and are now the second leading cause.

The surge has sparked debate over its drivers – economic recovery, health‑system bottlenecks, and possible abuse of the system – and its impact on gender equality. Women report higher rates of temporary incapacity for common illnesses and face additional pressures from unpaid caregiving, leading some commentators to warn that stricter sick‑leave rules would disproportionately affect them. Public opinion in cities such as Ceuta reflects a desire for stronger fraud controls while protecting genuine medical need.