GERMANY: Sick leaves for mental disorders have increased by 80% in ten years

According to figures from AOK-Bundesverband (a major health insurance fund), sick leaves for mental disorders have increased by 79.3% in recent years. In 2016, they topped the list, with 25.7 days’ absence per person, and lasted more than twice the average duration of 11.7 days. The sick leave duration increased, but also the number of people suffering from mental disorders.

According to figures from the Ministry of Health, absenteeism increased last year among the 71 million people covered by the compulsory insurance system, but remained at 5.3% for those insured by the AOK, the same level as the previous year. Workers on sick leave based on a medical certificate of work disability were absent 19.4 days on average.

To find out more (in German)