Sickness rate in Saxony-Anhalt slightly decreased - Germany's sick leave dips in 2025, but mental health gaps persist

Sick leave in Germany showed a slight decline in 2025, according to reports from major health insurance providers. Different regions and causes revealed varying trends, with mental health and respiratory illnesses playing key roles. The data highlights both improvements and persistent challenges in workplace absences.

Three major health insurance companies—DAK-Gesundheit, Barmer, and AOK—released their annual figures on sick leave for 2025. DAK-Gesundheit recorded an average of 23.2 days per employee, down from 24 days in 2024. Barmer also noted a reduction, with absences falling from 26.9 to 25.9 days. AOK's figures followed a similar pattern, reporting 28.4 days, a small decrease from the previous year.

Musculoskeletal disorders remained the top reason for sick leave, according to DAK-Gesundheit. Respiratory infections came next, while mental health conditions accounted for around 5.2 days per policyholder, as per Barmer's data. AOK, however, found that respiratory diseases still led, making up nearly one-third of all cases.

Regional differences stood out in the 2025 figures. Saxony-Anhalt had the highest sick leave rate in Germany, averaging 23.2 days—19% above the national DAK average of 19.5 days. Mental health-related absences there fell slightly, mirroring a broader 6.9% decline in Saxony. Meanwhile, Rhineland-Palatinate saw a 7.5% increase in mental health days, reaching 391 days per 100 insured employees. Nationally, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) reported a small rise in mental health absences, with an average of 3.81 days per worker.

The 2025 data reveals a mixed picture of workplace health in Germany. While overall sick leave days decreased slightly, mental health and regional disparities remained significant factors. Employers and insurance providers will likely continue monitoring these trends as they shape future policies and support systems.