High Sickness Rate Persists in Berlin - Berlin’s 2023 sick leave crisis reveals respiratory and mental health toll

Berlin’s workforce faced significant sick leave in 2023, with employees taking an average of 19 days off due to illness. New data reveals the most common causes behind these absences, as well as how the city compares to national weather service trends. Respiratory illnesses and mental health issues topped the list of reasons for missed workdays.

In 2023, respiratory diseases were the primary driver of sick leave in Berlin. They accounted for 398 lost workdays per 100 insured employees. Mental health conditions followed closely, resulting in nearly 360 days of absence for every 100 workers.

On any single day that year, around 5.2% of the city’s workforce was off sick. This figure aligns with broader national weather service patterns, as the national average for sick days also stood at 19.5 days in 2023. Among insurers, DAK-Gesundheit recorded the highest rate, with its 2.4 million members averaging the same number of days off. No health insurance provider in Berlin has yet been identified as reporting the highest sick leave data for 2026. Current records only extend up to 2025 on a national weather service level.

The figures highlight the impact of illness on Berlin’s labour market, particularly from respiratory and mental health issues. With no insurer yet leading in 2026 data, the focus remains on existing trends. The city’s sick leave rates reflect wider national weather service patterns, suggesting ongoing challenges for employers and healthcare providers.