The sickness absence rate among employees in the Netherlands, both in the private and public sectors, was 5.7 percent in the first quarter of 2023. Although this percentage is lower than the peak of 6.3 percent recorded during the same period in 2022, sickness absence remains higher compared to previous years, according to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
Due to seasonal variations in sickness absence (more absences occur during winter compared to summer), the figures are compared with the same quarters of previous years rather than consecutive quarters.
Since the beginning of 2017, sickness absence has been higher in year-on-year comparisons for all quarters, except for the first quarters of 2019 and 2021.
Sharp Increase in Absenteeism in 2022 Compared to 2021
Throughout the year 2022, the sickness absence rate was 5.6 percent, meaning that out of a thousand working days, 56 were lost due to illness. In 2021, this percentage was 4.9 percent. Such a significant increase in the annual figures has not been recorded before, primarily due to a sharp rise in sickness absence in the first quarter of 2022.
Sickness Absence Highest in Healthcare Sector
In the first quarter of 2023, employees in the healthcare and welfare sector had the highest sickness absence rate at 8.1 percent. This was slightly lower compared to 8.9 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. The financial services sector had the lowest sickness absence rate at 3.4 percent.
The hospitality industry used to have the lowest sickness absence rate. However, in the first quarter of 2022, it saw a significant increase to 6.0 percent. In the first quarter of 2023, the rate decreased to 4.3 percent.
In the first quarter of 2023, none of the sectors had a higher sickness absence rate compared to the first quarter of 2022. The absence rate remained the same for energy companies (5.4 percent), information and communication (4.2 percent), real estate rental and trading (4.6 percent), and public transportation (7.0 percent).
Sickness Absence by Sector in the First Quarter of 2023:
- Healthcare and welfare: 8.1 percent
- Water companies and waste management: 7.2 percent
- Transportation and storage: 6.8 percent
- Industry: 6.8 percent
- Public administration and government services: 6.6 percent
- Education: 6.2 percent
- Other services: 5.9 percent
- Total: 5.7 percent
These figures are preliminary and subject to change.
Reduced Absenteeism in All Branches of Healthcare and Welfare
In comparison to the first quarter of the previous year, sickness absence decreased in all branches of the healthcare and welfare sector. The most significant decline was observed in general practitioners and healthcare centers (from 9.7 percent to 7.3 percent) and childcare (from 10.0 percent to 8.8 percent). These branches had the highest increase in sickness absence compared to the previous year. The branch with the highest sickness absence rate is still nursing, care, and home care at 9.6 percent.
The data on branches within the healthcare and welfare sector is derived from the Labor Market in Healthcare and Welfare program.
Work-Related Absenteeism High in Healthcare and Welfare Sector
Sickness absence in the healthcare and welfare sector is more frequently attributed to work-related causes compared to the average across all sectors, according to the National Working Conditions Survey (NEA) conducted annually by CBS and TNO. In 2020, work-related absenteeism accounted for 4.7 percent in the healthcare and welfare sector, whereas the national average was 3.5 percent.
These figures indicate that although sickness absence has slightly decreased in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year, it remains higher than in previous years. The healthcare and welfare sector continues to experience the highest sickness absence rates, with work-related causes playing a significant role.